

Class JX—IAZ 

Book -^x'&JL^ 

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COPKRIGHT DEPOSIT. 




ETHICS 



OF 



HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 



A HELP TO 



Inexperienced Wives 

AKD 

Discouraged Mothers 
kco:n^omy is 

TEVTE 

STRENGTH 

MONEV 



E. McPHERSON-PARSONS 



CHICAGO 1903 



THE LIBRARY OF 
CONGRESS, 

Two Copies Received 

SEP 21 1903 

Cepynght Entry 
i /CLASS Cu XXc No 
COPY B. 






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Copyright, June, 1903 

BY 

E. McPHERSON-PARSONS 



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CONTENTS 



PAGE 

Introduction - - - - 7 

I. General Remarks - - - 13 

II. The Dwelling Place - - - 25 

III. The Kitchen - - - 3] 

IV. The Dining Room - - - 87 
V. Sleeping Rooms - - - 95 

VI. The Cellar and Attic - - 107 

VII. Cleaning and Dusting - - 115 

VIII, Washing and Ironing - - - 127 

IX. Making and Mending - - 147 

X. Buying Furniture and Clothing 159 

XI. Entertaining and Amusements - 169 

XII. Our Children - _ - - X79 



INTRODUCTION 



In sending this little volume into the by- 
ways, I cherish the hope that it may help 
some newly made wife, or some tired mother, 
to accomplish the task of home-making with 
more ease and cheerfulness; to take courage 
by the advice of one who has passed through 
many of the same trials. This counsel was 
once given: ''Do not attempt writing for 
others to read, except you thoroughly un- 
derstand your subject." The author of these 
pages takes to herself that advice. 

There are numberless cook books and 
books on ''Etiquette" and "Social Func- 
tions," but I have failed to find one dealing 
with the little things as an entirety of every- 
day life. It is the small things, not only in 
the kitchen, but all through the house, that 
consume the resources at hand, and if not 
judiciously managed bring us unhappiness. 

It is comparatively easy to regulate the af- 
7 



8 INTRODUCTION 

fairs of a household, if the income is sufficient 
to meet the needs of a growing family, and 
a maid or two can be employed year after 
year. But when the wife must be both 
mother and maid; must plan for the wants 
of two, three, or more members; feed, clothe, 
and educate them, aspires to bring them up 
in some refinement, and the income is from 
six to fifteen hundred dollars per year, then 
come the moments of discouragement and 
often dissatisfaction. 

It is with the experience of many of these 
circumstances, and the hope that there is a 
way to lighten the burdens of my sisters in 
this struggle, that these pages are written. 

The readers will please bear in mind that 
this is a work on true economy — to show 
how to keep within one's means, to get the 
best results. Not only to economize for our 
table, but for every room, nook, and corner 
of the house, inside and out. 

The husband must have a share in this 
economy, as well as the wife. They should 
be copartners. The majority of families live 
on less than fifteen hundred dollars per an- 
num. If it is their good fortune to live well 



INTRODUCTION 9 

and intelligently on that amount or less, it is 
to their credit and the world's benefit. 

Many of our best men are men not 
adapted to money-making, so called. But 
they are capable of bringing in a sufficient 
sum, which, if handled with care and study, 
and with the combined help of the wife, may 
rear a family in respectability, and educate 
them. In a majority of cases these children 
and students excel those whose parents or 
guardians supply them with hundreds and 
frequently thousands of dollars to put them 
through their college course. 

In order to get the best results from the 
economy of money, one must also economize 
his or her time and strength. The wasted 
time would be better spent reading some 
good book or paper. 

It has been the aim of the writer to make 
the reading of this little book entertaining 
as well as instructive. If you will study its 
pages as you do your cook book, you will 
not need to use the best years of your life 
experimenting on the every-day duties of 
the home. 



CHAPTER I 

GENERAL REMARKS 



ETHICS 

OF 

HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 



CHAPTER I 

GENERAL REMARKS 

The keeping of a home is an art, a science. 
It should be classed as a legitimate and im- 
portant business, and a wife should so con- 
sider it. A housewife, or homekeeper, should 
be awarded the same honor and courtesy 
that a school teacher or a woman of any 
other vocation receives. 

A woman was once heard to say of an- 
other, "Oh, she's only a machine; she keeps 
house — any one can keep house." The 
writer claims, however, that while any person 
may work at it, still it takes brains to care 
for a house as it should be. 

The home with its ''thousand and one" 
13 



14 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

duties to be performed, the rearing of a 
family with wisdom and economy, the train- 
ing of these boys and girls, the preparation 
of the proper kinds of food for making sound 
bodies and bright minds, so that in their turn 
they may make intelligent parents and good 
citizens — this task requires no common ma- 
chine, but a well-balanced mother. 

If the earning of money is important, the 
spending of it should be considered of equal 
importance. Teach the boys and girls how 
to spend money to get the greatest good out 
of it. Then, when they are men and women, 
they will know better its real and true value. 
Pay for what you get as you get it. It is 
cheaper and you will be better served. 

The installment plan is not a good way to 
furnish a home. ''Do not go beyond your 
means," is advice you have often heard. 
"Experience teaches that an article is more 
highly prized if paid for. If you cannot pay 
for a good article, then wait until you have 
saved enough money for it. Go to several 
places, look around, and take the best your 
money wdll buy. By so doing you will often 
better yourself, and at the price you can 



GENERAL REMARKS 1 5 

afford to pay. Study well before you pur- 
chase. Do not imagine you must have 
something for your house, or the children 
must dress better than is consistent with your 
circumstances, because some neighbor or 
friend has so and so. That proves nothing 
in your case. You and your family are a 
little world all by yourselves in this respect. 
Be independent and you will be respected by 
everybody. 

Buy with care, so that you will not buy 
over and over, things which should last a 
long time. Then, after you purchase a good 
article, take proper care of it. You will, by 
so doing, prove yourself a true helpmate for 
your husband, and in a short time your house 
will be well furnished. 

Look well to your personal appearance. 
Keep yourself neatly dressed. (Husbands 
might apply a little of this advice to them- 
selves, for we have seen untidy looking hus- 
bands.) Do not wear a long skirt or a 
ragged waist at your work. Old dresses, if 
repaired and kept clean, and the skirt and 
waist held properly together, will make a 
woman look neat and respectable. Care 



l6 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

should be taken in wearing wrappers, for 
they give one an unkempt appearance. In- 
deed, a loose-flowing gown is suitable only 
for sickness or one's own bed-chamber. 

On the other hand, do not overdress for 
kitchen work. Dress in a manner suitable 
for the work to be done. I once knew a 
maid who always put on a white apron, even 
to getting a clean one, when she wiped off 
the front porch. The pride-bump was large 
on her head. 

Be sure to comb the hair before leaving 
your bedroom. If there are children to dress, 
mother cannot always stop to do the hair 
for the day. But brushing it out and rolling 
it up neatly, before putting on the dress, 
makes mama more presentable, and puts a 
cheerful glow around the breakfast table. 

We are presuming that she is maid of all 
work, otherwise time would not be so pre- 
cious. It will only be possible to keep a 
maid when there is real sickness, or perhaps 
hire a woman by the day once a week, or 
occasionally, where the income is small, pro- 
vided that out of this sum one wishes a bank 
account at the end of the year. I would 



GENERAL REMARKS 1 7 

advise saving a little each year, unless sick- 
ness or some unforeseen circumstance has 
taken an unusual amount. The young wife 
is, generally speaking, ambitious and. willing 
to take her share of work and responsibility; 
but everything is so new and perplexing that 
she often errs. She needs encouragement 
and advice from some older head. 

These pages give a part of the experience 
of thirty-three years in a family of six mem- 
bers. In my young married days I would 
have given much to have had my sainted 
mother with me, to tell me what to do, when 
to do it, and how to do it. Blunders were 
frequently made; but the thought came to 
me one day, 'What woman has done, woman 
can do." So I resolved to watch and learn. 

It would be unreasonable to suppose that 
one set of rules would fit all classes and 
conditions of housekeepers. We must take 
one general guide and plan our ways and 
means to suit the occasion and circum- 
stances. Or, in other words, use the com- 
mon sense with which most women are 
endowed. 

Keep your eyes open and observe how 



l8 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

Others do. If their plan is an improvement 
over yours, adopt it. Much may be learned 
in this way. Have system about your house- 
hold affairs. Plan to do first that which 
needs your care most; then the next in 
order. Eternal vigilance is the price of a 
well-kept home. Do not think it too much 
trouble to attend carefully to the little things. 
They count much in making up the sum 
total of economy — and the satisfaction of 
"well done" compensates us. 

No girl should take upon herself the re- 
sponsibility of marriage; but when a woman 
promises to take a man for her husband, ''for 
better, for worse," she should not shrink her 
part of the business. Uphill work? Yes, 
many times. But ''every cloud has its silver 
lining." The little ones will soon be able to 
lend a hand. They should be allowed "to 
help," even if they prove a hindrance. 

Papa, too, though tired and perplexed, 
from the office or day's work, will relieve 
mother for a while and amuse baby. Then 
when the little ones are snug in bed, rest 
wall come to the weary parents. Some one 
says, "Papa is too tired to take baby." Too 



GENERAL REMARKS 1 9 

tired? How about the mother, who has 
served as many hours as he — sometimes 
nearly double — and often has aches and pains 
he can never know? I know of very few 
such husbands, I am glad to say. Agreed— 
they are a minority. 

At the same time, one should be cautious 
lest she impose upon a good-natured husband. 
How fortunate is that woman who has a 
domestic husband! Less manly? Not one 
iota less manly, in helping care for his own. 
By the term ''domestic" in this sense, is 
meant one who loves home more than his 
club. 

Husbands are sometimes driven to acts of 
dishonesty in business transactions, owing to 
a lack of the right force at home. Wives 
are not always to blame for these conditions. 
But many times, if the domestic affairs were 
conducted in a more business-like manner, 
results would be changed very perceptibly. 
A great incentive to a husband and father 
is to have an industrious and contented wife 
and daughters. 

When the income is not much more than 
enough to make ends meet, the husband 



20 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

should pass his wages over to the wife, unless 
she is incapable or they have agreed other- 
wise. 

Most wives understand the needs of their 
families better than the husbands. When it 
is possible, however, a father an-d mother 
should be mutually interested in the welfare 
of their family, and should consult together 
as to the best plans to use the income. 

Both parents should aim to be cheerful 
about the house. It is quite as important 
that the husband come home with some 
degree of pleasantness, as that ''the wife 
should m.eet her husband with a smiling 
face." She probably has had quite as much 
to annoy and perplex her, as he. Be careful, 
then, in appearing before the children with 
"ruffled" tempers. 

This may seem a strange subject for econ- 
omy; nevertheless it fits under that head. 
Study to economize on your temper. You 
will gain in health, in spirits, in love, and, 
last but not least, in the management of your 
children. The examples found in this little 
book to illustrate certain phases of life are 
not isolated cases. Those who may read 



GENERAL REMARKS 21 

these pages are doubtless familiar with par- 
allel conditions. Live and learn. 

I have purposely left unitemized the sit- 
ting-room or library, and parlor, for the 
reason that if the other parts of the house 
are run on an economical and systematical 
basis, these rooms will receive tlie same care 
and attention. If any part of the house miist 
be neglected, let it be the parlor or front, for 
the time being. Plain language will be used 
in dealing with the various subjects, else the 
object will not be gained. 

There is no way to escape the facts, that 
if the income is small and there is no honest 
avenue to its increase, then the strictest 
economy mnst be practiced, if satisfactory 
results are to he obtained. And it need not 
bring unhappiness. If you cannot see your 
way clear to make the ends meet, go to 
some older experienced person, who you 
know has better knowledge than you, and 
she will be glad to assist you with advice. 

If you are truly anxious to learn, the way 
will dawn upon you little by Uttle. In climb- 
ing the Alps, Napoleon and his army did not 
take a straight rush to the top. 



22 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

The author of this Httle book is well aware 
that women with plenty of money at their 
disposal, do not need the advice contained 
therein. But even they might peruse with 
profit. 

It is to you, the middle class, that the 
world is looking for the "plain living and 
high thinking" of its ancestors, which pro- 
duced the grandest and truest citizenship. 



CHAPTER II 

THE DWELLING PLACE 



CHAPTER II 

THE DWELLING PLACE 

In order to live well and comfortably on 
an income of, say, from six to fifteen hundred 
dollars per year, one must not pay for rent 
over from six to twenty dollars per month. 
Secure the best house in the best location 
you can possibly find for the money you can 
afford to pay. When the income increases, 
better yourself accordingly. Bear in mind 
that while you owe your neighbors a certain 
amount of respect and cordiahty, your home 
is your little "heaven on earth." It matters 
not to them how much your income may be. 

After securing the house, if possible have 
a fence to circuit the whole yard. Never 
mind the fad of ''no fence." Our experience 
has been that there are times when the chil- 
dren are like young colts; they need to be 
fenced in for their own good. But if a fence 
in front of the house is impracticable, by 
all means have a good one around the back 
yard. Then, when you choose, the children 
may play there unmolested. Here is where 
the father may get recreation if he will, 

2S 



26 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

Make a few flower and vegetable beds. In- 
stead of wasting time, try the earth tonic; 
you will get rosy cheeks and a good appetite. 
The children will soon be interested in these 
few beds of green. It is surprising what can 
be grown in a small yard for pleasure and 
for use on the family table, if one sets about 
it with a determination to win. 

Many times it wall keep the children out 
of mischief to help weed these beds and clear 
the yard of rubbish. Then, too, how much 
brighter and healthier will be the surround- 
ings! ''No time," says John? It is wonder- 
ful how much time there is. "Where there 
is a will there is a way." 

We will now return to the house, which 
is to be home for a tim.e. Stay there as 
long as circumstances will permit. Moving 
is expensive. Inside that house you owe 
yourself, your husband, your children, as well 
as your friends who m.ay enter, a study in 
object-lessons; in other words, a well-kept, 
orderly house. 

We must now look to the details or little 
things that go to make up the interior of 
the home. With proper training each mem- 
ber of a family will look upon each article of 



THE DWELLING PLACE 2/ 

furniture as grand, because it belongs to us, 
for we have paid our hard-earned money for 
it. Hence, we must take good care of this 
chair, that curtain; for there is another piece 
of furniture w^e wish to add to our collection 
as soon as we have saved enough. Tedious 
to wait for it? You are mistaken. It is a 
delight to look forward, as our children look 
forward to Christmas or a birthday. This 
life would be an empty dream if it were not 
for the joy and anticipation of the future. 

The windows should be provided with 
screens, as also should outside doors. It is 
the landlord's place to provide them. If he 
does not, then get the adjustable screens; 
they are inexpensive. Or get the best black 
mosquito netting, put it the whole length of 
your bedroom windows and on one kitchen 
window. By setting the shades down about 
two inches, the windows may be lowered 
from the top or raised at the bottom, thereby 
causing a free circulation of air. Fresh air 
is, or should be, the important feature in 
our homes. 

To keep the house cool in hot weather: 
If you are allowed to select the window 
shades, green in color is very satisfactory, 



28 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

and opaqiTe in quality by all means. The 
green is restful to the eyes, and when you 
wish to exclude the daylight you have shades 
which will do so. Air the house thoroughly 
morning and evening. As the sun advances, 
close the windows and draw the shades where 
it strikes, and follow it through the day. 
Then, when it is well around and the window 
panes have cooled off, open the window. If 
you do this, you will find when night comes 
on, the house will be much more comfortable. 

Have screens at the cellar windows, also 
the attic, if you are fortunate enough to 
possess one. Screens are very necessary, as 
without them the house will be overrun with 
flies, which make useless work. A mud- 
scraper, also a broom at the back door, so 
that the children may clean their shoes, help 
to keep the interior of the house clean. 

Look forward to some time owning your 
home, if it be but a cottage. 

A few cedar posts set solidly into the 
ground, with wire chicken netting stretched 
taut, and fastened securely, is not expensive 
and makes a good fence for cities and small 
towns. If covered with morning glories, 
sweet peas and other vines, it makes a beau- 
tiful surrounding for the backyard. 



CHAPTER III 

THE KITCHEN 



CHAPTER III 

THE KITCHEN 

Next to the sleeping-rooms, the kitchen 
is the most important room in the house. It 
should be light and well ventilated, as to 
have it otherwise would compel the unavoid- 
able odors to penetrate other parts of the 
house. 

If possible, have a hardwood floor (white 
maple is the best) with a good floor-finish. 
It can then be easily wiped off and kept 
clean, saving the scrubbing which a plain 
floor needs so often. If this cannot be had, 
then have your pine floor painted. A mop, 
if kept clean, will wipe the floor off nearly 
as well as getting on the knees and using a 
cloth; it saves your strength and time. In 
cold weather lay old pieces of carpet on the 
floor, in front of the stove, sink, and table. 
It will prevent cold feet, and the floor will 
not need cleaning as often. Each day these 
strips can be taken out and shaken free of 
dust. Occasionally wash them. 
31 



32 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

To make work easy is to do it well each 
day. Do not deceive yourself by saying, 
"That will do for this time," but keep things 
clean as you go. Have a place for every- 
thing, and keep everything in its place. 
Exact the same amount of care from each 
member of the family. You will find this 
way just as easy as throwing things ''helter- 
skelter," and each will be happier. 

Have you a gas range? Then the work 
is much easier. If you have a coal or wood 
range, and should be so unfortunate as to 
have a crack in the seam in the oven or 
elsewhere, take an equal quantity of wood 
ashes and common salt, wet with cold water 
to the consistency of soft dough, and fill the 
opening. If it dries and falls out, replenish. 
If there is a faint leak around the gas pipe 
where it joins the stove, fill it with a little 
scraping of common soap. 

Once a week is often enough to give the 
kitchen stove a thorough blacking. At other 
times take a newspaper, crumple it in the 
hand, and give the stove a vigorous rubbing. 
A cloth wet in kerosene oil and rubbed on 
the nickel plate on your stove will help keep 



THE KITCHEN 33 

it bright. Kerosene will also keep the bath- 
tub free from stains. 

The sink should next receive attention. 
First, can any one inform us why, almost 
invariably, the sink shelf is placed (when 
there is but one) on the left side of the sink, 
making it wrong-handed to one who faces 
it? The side they are placed makes it nec- 
essary for us to cross our hands in order to 
lay the dish on the shelf, or an awkward 
move to place it in our right hand. This 
question arises among housekeepers fre- 
quently. In facing the sink, the shelf should 
be at our left side. So when you build your 
new house, look to it, if you would have 
things convenient. 

A plumber was once heard to say, ''Never 
use linen for dishcloths, it sheds lint so badly. 
Once a month get a can of lye, open the top, 
set it over the perforated holes in the sink, 
pour a teakettle of boiling water into it. If 
you do this, your pipes will never clog." 
It was not told as a secret, so I give it for 
what it may be worth to you. Cheesecloth 
makes the best dishcloths and also dish- 
towels. Two salt bags sewed together make 



34 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

an excellent dishcloth. When you make a 
new one, take the old for kettles and tinware. 
Flour sacks, hemmed, make good dish- 
towels. With these you can get along very 
well with two or three linen glass-towels — 
in fact, without any linen at all, if you are 
careful to have the cotton ones clean for 
each dish-washing. 

A graduated tin cup with a handle, also a 
graduated quart measure, are very conven- 
ient articles to add to your list of kitchen 
utensils. From the hardware store get a 
fruit-can opener, a wooden spoon, kitchen 
knives and forks, tablespoons and teaspoons; 
three of each will suffice to use in your cook- 
ing. Don't use silver, or even plated silver, 
for kitchen purposes. I have known women 
to use their silver knives and spoons to scrape 
the iron and tinware. That is extravagance, 
not economy. Then again, do not use your 
fingernails to scrape with. It wears them 
off and spoils the shape of the fingers. Use 
the kitchen knives for that purpose. 

Buy just enough kitchen utensils to serve 
your purpose, no more. To buy more than 



THE KITCHEN 35 

is actually necessary exhausts the ready 
funds too rapidly. 

In buying a broom, see that the handle is 
light. Sweeping will be easier than with one 
with a heavy handle. Hang the broom up 
or rest it on its handle when not in use; it 
wears longer than when it rests on the brush 
part. A carpet sweeper is a labor-saving 
article; have one, if possible. Hang up 
kitchen utensils. 

An ice chest is more economical than a 
refrigerator. The larger the piece of ice, 
the more economical. Wrapping ice in a 
flannel cloth, two or three thicknesses, is 
economy. Keep the ice chest in a cool 
place, where the wind will not strike it, and 
perfectly clean. 

A slate hanging in a handy place in the 
kitchen, to jot down any article needed for 
the next grocery order, is a convenience. 
Avoid the borrowing habit. If it seems an 
unavoidable necessity, then return promptly, 
"full measure, pressed down and running 
over," and with thanks. Try keeping an ex- 
pense book. It is better to keep the grocery 
list separate from other accounts. 



36 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

It is not possible, living on a small income, 
to say "I will use so much for this or that, 
and so much for something else," for the 
reason, some seasons certain things cost more 
than at other times. Then again, our needs 
may be greater one time than another. By 
keeping an expense book, one can glance 
over the accounts and see where they may 
be able to curtail. Then again, it is a disci- 
pline v/e all need. The eldest boy or girl 
might be interested to help, the practice of 
which is good, instilling in their minds the 
same habits of thrift and economy. 

Holders, with loops to hang by, for use 
about your stove, and others for ironing, 
save your aprons, towels, and often burned 
fmgers. Have good, generous dark ging- 
ham work aprons; or even the back breadths 
of a cotton dress skirt may be used to serve 
the purpose. A square bib to pin over the 
waist, and sleeves to slip on, saves a dress 
wonderfully. A pocket on your apron, to 
slip the sleeves into, will be found handy 
when they are needed. Have a nail to hang 
your apron on, and never wear your kitchen 
apron doing work in other parts of the house. 



THE KITCHEN 37 

These aprons are not warm and burdensome, 
yet they cover the dress sufficiently. 

It is more economical to have brown crash 
towels, three-fourths of a yard long, with 
loops at both ends, for the kitchen. In farm 
houses the roller towels might be better. 
Have a nail expressly for the towel, and hang 
it by the loop. Have a wash-dish in the 
kitchen, and a nail to hang it by wdien not 
in use. 

When working about the kitchen, and 
especially handling foods, the utmost care 
should be used to have clean hands. If the 
handkerchief must be used, wash the hands 
afterw^ard. This is not only a neat habit, 
but from a health standpoint it is wise. 

Buy a good reliable soap by the box, for 
kitchen and laundry uses. Cut each bar in 
two, stack it, not closely, on the top pantry 
shelf or some dry place. You will save 
money by so doing, as the soap will dry out, 
and will not Vv^aste in the using. 

Did you ever try washing the dirty dishes 
as they accumulate during the day? Try it. 
It is so satisfactory wdien you come to wash 
your meal dishes not to have so many extra 



38 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

ones. Then there will be nothing to attract 
flies. Just here, while we are washing dishes, 
let me give you a formula for a wash for the 
hands. It is not original, but I do not re- 
member where I found it: 

One ounce of citric acid. 
Two ounces of rosewater. 
Two ounces of glycerine. 

To be appHed after each dish-washing. 
Have a pen-knife on your kitchen shelf for 
cleaning your fingernails, and as often as 
once a week manicure them well. There is 
no excuse for untidy fingernails. 

I have found it a wonderful help in the 
morning, having prepared as far as possible 
for breakfast the previous evening. 

Be careful not to spill water and foods on 
yourself or the floor. Begin your meals 
early, so there need be no hurry. If one 
must hurry, there is liable to be more or 
less accidents and confusion, when there 
should be none if the meal is planned on 
time. 

Make your ow^n baking pow^der. Get 
these ingredients at a first-class drug store: 



THE KITCHEN 39 

Two and one-half pounds cream tartar. 
One pound bicarbonate of soda (saleratus). 
One pound cornstarch. 
To be sifted together five times. 

Seal this as tightly as possible in glass 
jars. It requires less of this baking powder 
than the ordinary kind. This recipe is taken 
from the ''Chautauqua Cook Book," and has 
been used in this family for years. 

To render your own lard! "Oh," you 
may say, 'T can't be bothered making those 
articles which I can buy ready prepared." 
Very well; but there are women who are 
pleased to save in any and all ways, in order 
to have a part of the income left for extras 
or luxuries. So here is a clean and healthful 
lard for them: 

Leaf lard ten pounds, 

Beef suet three pounds, 
or that proportion. Cut both in small pieces, 
put into your kettle, add just a little water, 
say a tablespoonful, to keep it from burning 
until it begins to boil. Cover, let it cook 
about fifteen minutes, remove the lid, and 
let simmer until the fat is well cooked out. 
Watch that it does not burn. As it cooks, 



40 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

dip out the clear fat into a clean jar. Set a 
colander into a clean pan, and into it pour 
all the remaining fat, scraps too. After it 
has drained a while mash with a large spoon. 
Lay a piece of clean cheesecloth over the 
jar, turn the clear fat into it, let stand a few 
moments. Then squeeze the remainder of 
the fat into a dish by itself; it will answer to 
add to potatoes, etc., in warming over. 

Sometimes the lard will bear a little more 
suet, but it must not be hard, or it will be 
difficult to work into the flour for pie crust, 
etc. The suet takes the place of butter for 
ordinary use, and is better than clear lard. 
In warm weather I put the lard into small 
pails or jars and pour melted paraffine over 
it. Cover well and it will keep all right. 

Make your syrup, so that you may know 
what it is. Take granulated sugar one tea- 
cup, one-third cup boiling water; a few drops 
of lemon juice improves it. Let boil about 
two minutes. It is then ready for use. Or 
one can make a larger quantity and have it 
ready when needed. 

To poach eggs successfully (if you have 
not the rings): Add one teaspoon of salt 



THE KITCHEN 4I 

(level) to a pint of boiling water. Drop in 
each egg separately. Do not let the water 
boil too hard, and have enough to cover the 
eggs. They will need no more salt. Drain 
the water off, remove to your platter, add a 
dash of pepper and a small piece of butter to 
each egg. 

To fry bread it should be dry — the dryer 
the better. Beat an egg to mix well the 
white and yolk. With a fork dip each piece 
of bread quickly in and out of clean hot 
w^ater, then into the egg. Fry as pancakes. 
Eat with maple or other syrup. Nice for 
breakfast or lunch. 

If you have an ear or more of sweet corn 
left from dinner, do not throw it away. 
First take a sharp-pointed knife, sUt the cen- 
ter of each row of kernels, then with a knife 
the corn will slip off the cob readily. Spread 
on a granite plate and dry. It will take but 
a few^ hours in a warm oven — after baking 
is a good time. When perfectly dry, put into 
a paper bag and hang up. You w^ill find it 
equal, if not superior, to canned corn, for a 
meal now and then in the winter when 
vegetables are scarce. When needed, soak 



42 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

over night, or in warm water three or four 
hours. One teacupful is enough for an or- 
dinary family. Cook the same as canned 
corn. 

Do not throw out pieces of bread. The 
large soft pieces might be used at the next 
meal. To be sure, whole slices look nicer 
on the table; but when none but one's own 
family is present, let them expect to use such 
pieces. All other pieces left over can be 
used for puddings or for drying, to be rolled 
and used in the place of cracker crumbs, and 
for some foods they are to be preferred, 
such as fish, croquettes, etc. It is better to 
roll dry bread as you need it, for if put in 
cans it is apt to get musty. 

Dry bread makes good pancakes. One 
cup of broken pieces, soaked in cold water 
(by the way, when making bread pudding 
soak the bread in cold water), then drain, 
working out the lumps. Add a cup of sour 
or buttermilk, one egg, one teaspoon of sal- 
eratus (added to the milk), a pinch of salt, 
and a scant cup of flour. Add more flour if 
too thin, as of some flour you need more 
than others. 



THE KITCHEN 43 

To fry fish. When it is ready wipe each 
piece, dip it in beaten ^gg, then in rolled 
bread or cracker crumbs. Have just enough 
fat (not butter) to well cover the bottom of 
the spider, brown on one side, then turn. 

To soak salt fish successfully, especially 
mackerel, lay the skin side up and change 
the water several times. Mackerel should 
soak from ten to twelve hours. Select a thick 
mackerel. 

Butter gravy for mackerel or any salt fish: 
Butter the size of a large walnut, slightly 
brown in a spider, draw from the fire and add 
one tablespoonful of flour. Work well to- 
gether, gradually add hot water, stirring the 
mixture until it is a smooth mass. Return to 
the fire, add a pinch of salt, a dash of pepper. 
Let boil up and pour, while hot, over the fish. 
Serve immediately. 

Make cream gravy the same as the above, 
except use hot milk instead of water. Cream 
gravy is nice to pour over canned salmon or 
any left-over fish. Make a cream gravy and 
while hot add chopped, cold boiled potatoes. 
Very nice. 

If you have more fresh eggs than are 



44 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

needed for present use, take coarse salt, pack 
the eggs, little end down, and so they will 
not touch each other, completely covering 
them with the salt. They will keep a long 
time, several months. 

When you raise cucumbers or can buy 
them cheaply, a good way to preserve them 
for winter's use is to pack them, first a layer 
of rock salt, then of cucumbers (not very 
large), alternately, until your jar or tub is full. 
They form their own brine, and if the water 
is not soft it is a safe process. Another way 
is to make a brine with water and sufficiently 
heavy with salt to float an egg, pack the cu- 
cumbers in the tub, pour the brine over them. 
Adding a piece of alum the size of a hickory 
nut hardens them. Before putting a weight 
on top to keep them under the brine, cover 
the top with horse-radish leaves; or a cloth 
may be used. Remove once in a while and 
rinse in clear water, then return. When 
wanted for use, put a few in warm w^ater, 
changing it several times in the course of five 
or six hours. Have vinegar heated to pour 
over them, let stand a few hours and they are 



THE KITCHEN 45 

ready for use. You will find them an excel- 
lent pickle and cheap. 

Do not allow your butcher to trim your 
meat; do it yourself, washing the scraps care- 
fully. The fat put into a dish over the fire 
and render the grease from it, adding this to 
your meat drippings, which of course you 
always save. This is excellent for warming 
over potatoes or to use in other ways. For 
some foods it is better than butter, which 
burns easily. 

The lean scraps save to be added to the 
carcass of a baked fowl or the bones from a 
roast. This makes a foundation for stock. 
It can be used for soup immediately if you 
wish. Crack the bones, to extract the es- 
sence, cover well with cold water, let it come 
to a slow heat, simmer for three to four 
hours, keeping the water renewed, as it boils 
away. Season with salt and pepper and a 
dash of curry powder, if liked. Add any left- 
over vegetables and a small onion, also celery 
leaves. This makes a delicious soup, costing 
almost nothing. 

If you will wash clean any celery leaves or 
stalks not used and dry them, putting them 



46 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

into paper sacks, they are equally as good for 
soups and saves buying the seeds or powder. 
They answer the same purpose, and, as you 
always strain the soup, there is no objection 
to using them. Or if you do not strain it take 
a fork and lift the stems out. 

Potatoes cooked with the jackets on are 
most nutritious. We once visited a lady of 
large means, who kept several servants, but 
would not allow the skins of the potatoes to 
be removed, preferring, as she said, "to get 
all the good there was in them." The potato 
was ''kept warmer," she thought. Generally 
it is better to remove the skins in the kitchen. 

To cook beets: Pull them from your own 
garden if possible (at least have them fresh) 
and of uniform size, about three inches 
through. Leave the long root and about one- 
half inch of the top on that no nutriment be 
lost. Wash thoroughly and cover with boil- 
ing water, add a level teaspoon of salt. Cook 
tender (about one hour) and the skin will slip 
ofif easily. More than enough for one meal 
may be cooked with the same fire. For a 
part of the beets while warm make a sauce as 
follows: Put over the fire one-half cup of 



THE KITCHEN 47 

boiling water, add one tablespoon of vinegar, 
a piece of butter the size of a small walnut 
and season with salt and pepper. Slightly 
thicken with flour made smooth with cold 
water. When it boils well pour over the 
sliced beets. 

The remaining beets slice, and to each layer 
add a little pepper and salt, and pour over all 
cold vinegar. Do not pierce the beets with 
a fork until about done. 

It is wise to can your own fruit if you live 
w^here it is plentiful. Or should the price be 
very high, which in some seasons is the case, 
put up but little, using dried fruits mostly. 
It is better to put tomatoes in glass cans. To- 
matoes for soup stock need not be peeled. 
Simply wipe clean, cut into small pieces, put 
over the fire and cook sufficiently to strain 
through a colander or sieve, which removes 
the skin and seeds. Return to the kettle (a 
porcelain) and boil well. Into your glass jars 
pour gradually hot water to warm them 
thoroughly. Then put the tomato in them 
and seal immediately. When you wish toma- 
to soup your stock is easily prepared. In 



48 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

using tomato stock for soup add a piece of 
salaratus the size of a large pea. 

For other uses you need only peel your to- 
matoes, cutting them in slices and proceed as 
above. Wrap each can in paper to exclude 
the light. All fruit keeps better in a dark 
place. 

When you get tired of tomatoes cooked, 
scalloped or otherwise, try this: 

Take six medium-sized or one pint of 
canned tomatoes (if canned add a tiny bit of 
salaratus), put over the fire in a granite stew 
pan. Add salt, pepper, a small piece of but- 
ter and a tablespoonful of light brown sugar, 
enough sugar to take that sharp tomato taste 
ofT. Let cook up well, then add a cup of milk 
or part cream (if cream, then no butter). Boil 
again. If it should show signs of curdling it 
will smooth out all right if the milk is fresh. 
Next, wet up enough flour with cold milk to 
make the Avhole mass about as thick as good 
gravy. Boil up and serve. 

Green Tomato Pickles: Take thoroughly 
green (seeds as green as outside) tomatoes, 
wape clean, cut a thin layer of skin of¥ each 
end, then cut remainder into one-half inch 



THE KITCHEN 



49 



slices. Make a brine with one cup of salt and 
water sufficient to cover one peck, let stand 
over night. In the morning drain thorough- 
ly. In a porcelain kettle put one quart of 
cider vinegar and three of water. Add to- 
matoes, let come to a boil, stirring carefully 
once. Drain this water ofY, and to three 
pints of vinegar add two and three-fourth 
pounds of light brown sugar, two tablespoons 
each of ginger and cinnamon and one of 
cloves, tied in a thin cloth. Let get hot, add 
tomatoes and simmer twenty minutes. When 
cold put in a jar and cover well. 

Tomato marmalade: Very nice. 
Seven pounds of ripe tomatoes. 
Four pounds of brown sugar. 
One pint of good cider vinegar. 
One teaspoon of cloves. 
One tablespoon of cinnamon. 

Two lemons sliced very thin (remove the 
seeds). Boil tomatoes and sugar together 
awhile, add vinegar and spices, let boil awhile 
longer and about ten minutes before remov- 
ing from the fire, add the lemons. Boil un- 
til as thick as desired (not quite as thick as 
jam), care being taken that it does not burn. 



50 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

When canning peaches save the skms, put 
over the fire, cover with cold water, let boil 
soft. Pour into your jelly bag (cheesecloth 
is good for that purpose), squeeze gently. 
Measure the juice and sugar the same as for 
other jellies. Return the juice to the fire, 
let boil fifteen minutes, add sugar, which 
should be previously heated. This will not 
be as thick jelly as most others, but by trying 
it, you will be able to tell when to remove 
from the fire. Where there are children this 
makes a good substitute and helps piece out 
the supply. 

Strawberries should be washed carefully be- 
fore the hulls are removed, to save the juice 
which otherwise would be lost. These ber- 
ries require more sugar than most other fruit 
to insure their keeping. 

To make any berry jelly: Put the berries 
over the fire (mash a little to start the juice, 
but do not add water), let cook well, then 
strain through a jelly bag. (I always wash 
thoroughly and dry my jelly bag after each 
using and put it away for future use. Before 
using it soak it a few minutes in clean water.) 
To each pint of juice take one pint of granu- 



THE KITCHEN 5 1 

lated sugar. Put juice over the fire, put the 
sugar in the oven to get hot. After the juice 
begins to boil let boil twenty minutes, then 
add the hot sugar, let boil five minutes more. 
Remove from the fire. Have your jelly 
glasses perfectly clean, dip in cold water, let 
them drain, and as soon as the fire heat is off 
the jelly, and before it sets, fill the glasses. 
When cold pour melted paraf^ne over the 
top, put on the covers and set away in a cool, 
dry place. When you use the jelly remove 
the parafBne, saving it to be used again. 

Where possible to procure blackberries 
make a generous supply of jam. Use hght 
brown sugar and proceed as for other jams. 
Where there are children blackberry jam is 
much more wholesome than butter to use on 
bread. 

Gravy: Take a small piece of butter, put 
it into the spider, let brown, not burn, pour 
a pint of milk onto it. Take a tablespoon of 
flour, make smooth with a little cold water or 
milk and when the milk boils, stir the flour 
into it; season with salt and pepper. Let cook 
well and remove from the fire. This is a 
gravy that most children like on potatoes 



52 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

and bread. Many grown children enjoy the 
old-fashioned ''milk gravy." It saves butter, 
which is quite important in most famihes of 
small means. 

Should the meat drippings appear to be 
spoiling, put into a kettle over the fire, pare 
a potato, slice thin, add it to your fat, let 
cook brown, then remove from the fire — the 
potato will sw^eeten it. Do not add fresh fat 
to this; but use this first. 

When cooking cabbage, turnip, onions, or 
any strong odored vegetable, let boil ten min- 
utes, drain oft water, then add boiling water 
and salt, return to fire and finish cooking. I 
always throw this water out of doors, also 
bean v/ater after parboiling, as it is so strong 
if poured in the sink the odor is disagreeable. 

Add a little cornstarch to salt before put- 
ting in the salt wells. The salt will not lump. 

Soak salt pork in skimmed milk or milk 
DYid water over night (this for frying) and it 
will be as nice as fresh. Wipe dry before put- 
ting into the spider. Fried pork or bacon is 
very nice with a cream gravy poured over. 
Serve hot. 

Try not to cook more of any kind of food 



THE KITCHEN 53 

than will be eaten at one meal. In case there 
should be some left over do not throw it out. 
Make it a point of your every-day life to save 
everything which can possibly be used. It 
will soon become easier to you than wasting. 

Lemon juice is to be preferred to vinegar 
for some uses. But wx cannot do entirely 
without vinegar. Have a jug or keg express- 
ly for it. Get the pure cider vinegar. Rinse 
any dish in wdiich you may have had syrup 
and add to the vinegar. 

A plant called "mother or vinegar plant" 
forms on top of vinegar, which makes and 
preserves it. 

Save all bits of milk, and when sour a tea- 
cup of it, with one-half teaspoon of salaratus 
dissolved in it, with the addition of one egg, 
will make nice pancakes or a johnny cake, etc. 
It will make good cake also. (When making 
cake or pancakes, add the beaten white of the 
eggs last and fold it in the batter rather than 
beat.) It is cheaper than baking powder. A 
little practice will satisfy you to use sour milk 
when you have it. When fresh buttermilk 
can be obtained it is better than sour milk. 
Buttermilk makes an excellent drink for those 



54 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

who like the taste, being laxative and tonic. 

While I am writing I see from my window 
a little scene which I must tell mxy readers. 
Men working on a house near by hailed a 
milk man and bought all the buttermilk he 
had in his wagon, a number of quarts, and at 
the same time a family beer wagon was pass- 
ing. May the W. C. T. U. take courage. 

Potato parings are excellent to clean ca- 
rafes (water bottles), vinegar cruets, etc. Let 
stand several hours. Shake well. 

If grease catches fire, dash flour over it in- 
stead of water. If your clothes take fire do 
not run out into the wind, but roll on the 
floor or wrap a piece of carpet or a bed quilt 
around yourself. For a small burn apply 
moist salaratus and wrap with a wet cloth. 

When wood is used for fuel sometimes the 
chimney catches fire. In such a case open 
the top of the stove and dash several hand- 
fuls of salt over the fire. This will check the 
flame and the soot will burn out of the chim- 
ney, causing no harm but a better draught 
to your stove. 

If peas are not strictly fresh, before shell- 



THE KITCHEN 55 

ing them let stand in cold water a couple of 
hours. It freshens them decidedly. 

If you wish a warm plate or dish in a hurry 
pour hot water upon it, let stand a second, 
wipe, and you have it. 

I am sure you would like this recipe for 
Tomato Relish: 

One peck of ripe tomatoes. 
Five medium-sized onions. 
Two medium-sized red peppers. 
One cup white sugar. 
One cup grated horse-radish. 
Three-fourths cup mustard seed. 
Two tablespoons black pepper. 
One quart vinegar. 
One, one-half cup salt. 

Chop tomatoes and drain off part of the 
juice, chop onions and red peppers fine. Add 
all the other ingredients and stir well to- 
gether. Do not cook and it need not be 
sealed. Put it in clean cans or a jar and cover 
well. — Mrs. McPherson. 

Chili sauce: Fine for meats. 
Thirty ripe tomatoes. 
Ten onions, medium size. 
Four red peppers, common size. 



56 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

Seven tablespoons of brown sugar. 

Five tablespoons of salt. 

Eight cups of good cider vinegar. 
Put all together and boil two hours. Seal as 
for catsup. — Mrs. Wales. 

Cucumbers to be eaten fresh should be 
perfectly fresh. Pare a good thick skin from 
them and cut both ends ofif to the seeds. Cut 
in thin slices and add salt, set on ice if pos- 
sible. When ready to use them pour ofif the 
brine which has formed and rinse with cold 
water. Add pepper and vinegar. 

Next to the outside skin of rutabagas and 
turnips you will find a layer somewhat lighter 
than the middle. Cut this away before cook- 
ing. If you mash them add a very little sugar 
Avith the other seasoning. It is an improve- 
ment. 

Pumpkin pies, such as Martha Washing- 
ton used to make: First, select a fine-grained 
pumpkin, wash the outside well, cut into 
small pieces, removing the fiber from the 
center. Leave the rind on; like potatoes, the 
best is near the outside. Put into a large 
kettle a half-cup of water, then the pumpkin. 
Let it cook dry. It will be a dark brown 



THE KITCHEN 57 

color. So much the better if it does not burn. 
Stir often to prevent burning. Next put it 
through the colander, which removes all rind 
and coarseness. One-half cup of this 
strained pumpkin is enough for one pie. The 
remainder of the pumpkin spread on granite 
pie plates, set in a warm oven and in a few 
hours it will be sufificiently dry to put into a 
paper bag and hang up for winter's use. This 
sounds like more work than it really is. If 
you are fond of pumpkin pies it pays. When 
you want pie in the winter take what would 
be a half-teacup (for each pie wanted), add a 
little (at a time), warm milk, let it soak and in 
an hour or so it will be ready for use. 

The pie: One-half cup of pumpkin, one 
very large egg or two small ones, one-half 
cup of brown sugar, one pint of rich new 
milk, a pinch of salt, one teaspoonful ginger, 
one-half teaspoonful cinnamon. Beat eggs 
and sugar together thoroughly, add the other 
ingredients and the milk last. Of course 
pumpkin pies have only one crust and must 
bake quickly, while a custard pie should bake 
slowly. 

If you will follow these directions you will 



58 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

not wonder that George liked Martha's pies. 

If you wish a very nice custard pie follow 
the directions of almost any cook book, with 
this added: Beat the eggs to mix weU the 
yolks and whites, add sugar and beat until 
you can lift a spoonful and it will not run 
over. 

Pie crust for one pie: One cup of flour, 
scant one-half cup of shortening (chilled on 
ice if possible), one-third cup of cold water. 
Chop the shortening into the flour, add the 
water and work v/ith the hand as little as 
possible. 

To make tart shells: One cup of flour, full 
one-half cup of shortening (chilled), one ta- 
blespoonful of water and the white of one 
small ^^gg. Work the shortening into the 
flour as for pie crust, beat the egg and add 
the water to it, then add to the flour, mixing 
as little as possible. If mixed and rolled too 
much it makes the crust tough. 

Very dry Hubbard squash is improved by 
adding a teaspoonful of sugar and one or 
two tablespoonfuls of cream. (If you use 
cream you need use no butter.) Beat up with 
a fork the same as mashed potatoes. Warm the 



THE KITCHEN 59 

cream or milk before adding to the squash or 
potato. 

Sweet corn and succotash is improved by 
adding a Httle sugar, say a tablespoonful. 

Rhubarb should be stripped of its outer 
skin, cut into inch or so lengths, washed and 
put into a granite or porcelain stew-pan with- 
out the addition of water. Stew tender and 
just before removing from the fire add the 
sugar. Rhubarb ought to be eaten very 
freely in the spring of the year. 

Care should be taken not to use tin in 
which to stew acid fruits. 

When a tin can of fruit or vegetable or 
meat is opened empty the contents immedi- 
ately. If through mistake it has been al- 
lowed to stand after being opened do not 
under any consideration use it. Better go 
hungry, for people have been poisoned by 
eating such food. 

To make delicious hash, it should be made 
of corn beef. Boil a nice piece of beef and 
after it is cold cut away all gristle, leaving a 
small quantity of fat. If very" salty put into 
cold water to boil, if slightly corned (which 
is the nicer) cover with boiling water. Take 



6o ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

one-third meat, two-thirds whole cold boiled 
potatoes. Chop meat nearly as fine as for 
mince meat, add potatoes (do not chop meat 
and potatoes together, but chop meat first, then 
add potatoes) and a very small onion (the 
onion may be omitted). You may chop this 
the night before. Now use a good-sized spider, 
put in some of the fat off the top of the water 
in which the beef was boiled, enough to cover 
well the bottom of the spider. Put your hash 
in, make a hole in the center, fill with warm 
water, sprinkle with salt and pepper, put on 
the cover and let simmer, but not burn. Do 
not stir until about ready to remove from 
the fire. The hash should be moist, but not 
wet. A little practice wiU enable you to make 
nice hash. 

If you have a cup of boiled rice left over 
convert it into pancakes. First take a po- 
tato masher and work the rice as smooth as 
possible. Add one cup of sweet milk, one 
egg, a pinch of salt and a scant cup of flour, 
into which two level teaspoons of baking 
powder has been stirred. Beat aU together 
and bake on griddle. 

This little volume is not designed to be a 



THE KITCHEN 6l 

cook book. But these few recipes are given 
which you will not be apt to find in the ordin- 
ary cook book. They have come into my 
practice by experience and observation. They 
will be worth much to any one who cares to 
adopt them. My advice to you would be, in 
following most cook books, care must be 
exercised and good judgment used, for many 
recipes are expensive and the material too 
rich for the stomach. 

It is well to remember that in high alti- 
tudes, less sugar and butter is required for 
cake, etc., than in low. Also in some locali- 
ties it takes longer to cook vegetables and 
meats than others. So your cook book may 
not always be to blame if you do not have 
success the first trial. 

I wish to call your attention to a vegeta- 
rian diet. Cook books for the same may be 
obtained at almost any first-class book store 
or the dealer could obtain one for you. For 
five years my family has followed, almost 
entirely, a vegetarian diet, greatly to the ad- 
vantage, from a health standpoint, of each 
member. I am sure you will like to know 
of what our diet consists. Cattle and sheep 



62 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

are strictly vegetarians; for that reason I pre- 
fer my vegetables first hand. Our chief diet 
is vegetables and an abundance of fruit in its 
season. We use butter, eggs and sugar spar- 
ingly. We use figs to some extent and dates 
we buy by the large quantity — they come 
cheaper — say by the twelve-pound box. The 
dark date is preferred to the golden; it has 
a richer flavor, though a little more expen- 
sive. We also use nuts. Mark this — we use 
these fruits as a course at meal time, and not 
too large a quantity. Say of dates, from six 
to twelve to a person. Dates are nice to put 
into puddings, etc., instead of raisins. ,We 
also use raisins on the table to some extent, 
care being taken to remove the seeds, and 
masticate them well. The same with grapes. 
We use apples plentifully, buying them 
generally by the barrel. We use them in all 
ways, raw, baked, stewed, and for puddings 
and occasionally a pie. When baking apples 
add sugar to the cavity, after removing the 
core. You add water, of course. As they 
bake try basting them, exactly as you do meat. 
When stewing apples a few bits of orange or 
lemon rinds improve the taste. Some like nut- 



THE KITCHEN 63 

meg. Save your strength by sitting while peel- 
ing apples or potatoes or preparing other vege- 
tables for a meal. 

We use very little pastry. I have often 
been asked as to the expense. There is but 
little difference in comparison to a meat diet; 
but it is far more healthful and makes less 
work for the cook. 

Cultivate a taste for vegetables (especially 
green) and fruits. It is not a great task to 
acquire a taste for olives, celery, etc. I call 
to mind when I disliked even the odor of 
celery. The first I learned to appreciate was 
a red kind. It grew short, but very sweet 
and tender and was grown in our own gar- 
den from seed purchased of the seed mer- 
chant, Peter Henderson, New York. 

Excellent Hop Yeast: One pint of corn, 
scorched slowly. Do not burn. Take two 
handfuls of hops, together with the corn, add 
four quarts of water and let boil one hour. 
Boil ten good-sized potatoes, mash well. 
Strain the hop water while hot onto the pota- 
toes. Add to this one teacup of sugar and 
one-half cup of salt. Put over the fire and 
scald. If a scum rises remove it. Set it to 



64 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

one side to cool and when lukewarm add to 
it one cup of soft yeast or one cake of any 
good yeast. 

Let it stand in a moderately warm place 
three or four hours or until light. Then put 
it into clean bottles or glass jars and keep it 
in a cool place, but not where it will freeze. 
Yeast cakes may be made of this by adding 
cornmeal enough to stiffen it and a spoonful 
of flour, so that it may be rolled and cut into 
small cakes. Put them into a warm place 
to dry. They will keep a very long time if 
kept in a cool, dry place. — Mrs. Butterfield. 

A dry or stale loaf of bread or biscuits may 
be freshened and made very good by dip- 
ping (quickly) into cold water, and put im- 
mediately in a not too hot oven. Let stand 
thirty minutes or so. 

The way I make bread is this: In the aft- 
ernoon boil three or four medium-sized po- 
tatoes. In a granite pan mash them well, 
add five heaping tablespoons of flour. Over 
this pour boiling water enough to scald the 
flour and make the mass about like cake bat- 
ter. Stir well together and beat light, the 
lumps will work out, then let stand until cool, 



THE KITCHEN 65 

Stirring occasionally. Put to soak three- 
fourths cake of any good dried yeast, or 
nearly one-half cup of soft yeast. When thor- 
oughly soft and the batter just warm put to- 
gether and beat well. Then set in not too 
warm a place, but out of a draught of air. 
Before bed time this batter will be Hght. Add 
a pinch of salt, but no more water. This 
makes three loaves. (If you wish a larger 
batch add more ingredients in the afternoon.) 
Gradually add sufficient flour to m.ake a stiff 
mass. Take it on the molding-board and 
knead and knead, adding flour as long as it 
sticks to the board. I put a handful of flour 
on top and punch it with the fist. Now re- 
turn it to the pan, cover well and set to rise 
overnight. Early in the morning make it 
into loaves. Let rise again and put into not 
too hot an oven. Let bake slowly one hour. 
This bread is delicious and will keep moist if 
kept in the tin receptacle. You see while you 
are sleeping your bread is rising and it will 
be out of your way by 9 or 10 o'clock the 
next morning. 

Very old potatoes or new (not ripe) pota- 
toes do not make very good yeast or bread. 



66 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

So do not be discouraged if in the spring the 
bread is not perfect. 

Do not use bread the same day it is baked 
if it can be avoided. Any hot breads such as 
biscuits, rolls, etc., are not as good for the 
stomach as when a day old. Of course, they 
''taste good," but if often indulged in, the 
stomach in time is sure to rebel. 

In som.e cook books may be found a recipe 
for unleaven graham gems. But I doubt if 
you will find one for unleaven graham bread. 
Here is one for you, and if you will make and 
eat it according to directions, it will be found 
an excellent article of diet. If one is troubled 
with constipation or indigestion, they will soon 
derive benefit from its use. 

Unleaven graham bread : Into one and one- 
half pints of cold water (no salt) gradually 
stir graham flour (free from coarse bran) until 
thick enough to lift a spoonful and it will 
not run, but separate itself. This makes one 
loaf. More may be baked with the same fire, 
but nothing else should be put into the oven 
with the bread. Better results are obtained if 
each loaf is made separately. Grease the pans 
(do not use butter), dip the dough into it, 



THE KITCHEN 67 

Spreading it into the corners and evenly against 
the sides. Before mixing the bread, Hght the 
oven giving it from twenty to thirty minutes 
to heat. If you use a gas stove this bread is 
easily baked. It is the heat that raises this 
bread, so the oven must be hotter than for 
white bread. Just before putting the loaves 
into the oven, put a tablespoon of cold water 
over each loaf. It takes one and one-half hours 
to bake. Do not open the oven door until the 
end of the first half hour. Then turn it around, 
also at the end of the second half hour, but 
do not open the oven door between the half 
hours. After the bread has been in the oven 
fifteen minutes lower the heat by turning off 
the back burner. Leave the other burner full. 
One slice or even one-half slice is all one needs 
at one meal. It must be well masticated. At 
first you may think you do not like it; but I 
have not known a person but would continue 
taking a piece until they would call for it if 
none was on the table. In real hot weather 
(dog days) it does not keep as well, if much 
is made at one time. 

Cookies for Children: Into one side of a 
pan of flour break one egg, add one cup of 



68 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

shortening (the lard and suet are fine 
for these), one cup of sugar, each of white 
and brown, one cup of sour milk or butter- 
milk (if buttermilk not quite so much short- 
ening), one level teaspoon of soda (salara- 
tus) dissolved in the milk, and a little nutmeg. 
With the hand w^ork this well together, grad- 
ually adding flour to make a dough not too 
stiff. Roll not too thin and bake in a quick 
oven. These cookies are nicer not to beat 
as ordinarily. 

Ginger Cookies: 
One cup of N. O. molasses. 
One cup of sugar. 
Three-fourths cup of shortening. 

One-half cup of boiling water, add two tea- 
spoonfuls of salaratus to the water, one tea- 
spoonful of ginger. 

One Qgg. (The egg may be omitted.) 
Add flour enough to roll out comfortably 
without sticking to the board. Do not roll 
very thin and the oven must not be very hot, 
as molasses cookies burn easily. 

Fried Cakes: Into a pan with flour break 
one egg, add one cup of sugar, four table- 
spoons of melted shortening, one cup of sour 



THE KITCHEN 69 

or buttermilk and a little nutmeg. With 
the hand mix thoroughly, adding enough 
flour to roll out nicely. Fry in deep hot fat. 
— Mrs. Davis. 

After frying fried cakes allow the grease to 
stand awhile that the crumbs mxay settle, then 
pour off the clear fat into a dish by itself. 
This may be used several times before it will 
be too brown to use again. Of course each 
time fresh fat would be added to it. Then 
throw out the settlings and with a paper wipe 
out the kettle, throwing the paper into the 
garbage or burn it. There would be less 
grease to go into the dish-water if every 
greasy dish was treated in this way. 

Wind a strip of clean muslin around the 
end of a small stick for greasing bread tins, 
pancake griddle, etc. Grease the griddle 
sparingly and avoid smoke. 

Make a cover of unbleached cotton cloth 
for your rolling-pin and the molding-board 
unless you have a place for them out of the 
way of flies and dust. After using the board 
and pin, scrape them clean and wipe dry be- 
fore putting in their cases. In making bread 
or any dough food, do not waste scraps of 



70 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

flour and dough. Learn to use all that is 
wet and save all the dry flour not needed. I 
once knew a housekeeper who wasted much 
in this way. 

As you use the fruit from the glass jars 
and jelly glasses wash then carefully, let drain 
and dry thoroughly. If the rubbers are good, 
wash and dry them, also the tops or covers. 
Put the rubbers inside the can, put the tops 
on and set away in the place provided for 
them; they are then ready for use when need- 
ed. Do these little things as they need do- 
ing, each day, each hour, and you will soon 
be able to crowd your work instead of your 
work crowding you. 

It will pay you to have a pair of scales for 
weighing purposes. Not only are they a 
convenience for canning and preserving 
fruits, but often it will be to your advantage 
to weigh your groceries. If you pay by the 
week or month, or whenever, run over the ac- 
count yourself, or get John or one of the 
older children to do it for you. Often the 
clerk has made a mistake; we all are liable to 
do so. We frequently find a mistake in the 
grocer's favor or your own. Have your house- 



THE KITCHEN 7I 

hold accounts balance at the end of the 
month, as does a banker or any business 
house. 

A hammer is a very useful article to have 
in the drawer, hard by. Do not allow the 
children to carry it off, causing you to hunt 
for it when in a hurry. Nails and tacks also 
keep in a box in a handy place. Save all 
twine, roll into a ball for use around the 
kitchen. 

Do not leave water standing in the teaket- 
tle from one meal to another. If you can 
afford it get a copper teakettle on the start. 
It will last many years. 

Put just enough water into your teakettle 
for present needs. It is not necessary that 
water boil when used for washing dishes, etc. 
I have seen maids boil a teakettle full of 
water, when a small amount w^armed would 
be sufficient to begin the work. Add more 
to heat while using the first consignment. If 
gas is used it makes quite a difference in the 
consumption at the end of the month. 

We prefer a double coffee-steeper — that is, 
a bottom to contain water, the pot should be 
double, and sets on this bottom of hot 



72 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

water and the steam circles around the cof- 
fee-pot, steeping instead of boiHng the cof- 
fee. You need then, never use eggs or any- 
thing to settle the coffee, and it will be as 
clear as amber. Get a good grade of coffee 
and use less than in the ordinary way 
of brewing. With care, washing and drying 
the pot, it will last many years. The milk or 
cream for coffee should be heated and put 
into the cups and the hot coffee poured upon 
it. It makes a richer cup of coffee. 

In brewing tea, we prefer the earthen or 
granite teapot. Silver looks nicer, but the 
tea will taste no better. Put into your tea- 
kettle fresh, cold water, the same as when 
making coffee. Bo it quickly and use imme- 
'diately. Put a level teaspoon ful of tea into 
the pot (having previously scalded it) or 
more or less, as you like the strength. Now 
pour a generous cupful of the boiling water 
upon it, cover with a tea-cosy made for that 
purpose, or an old tablecloth will answer, 
tuck it close. Let this stand about five min- 
utes, remove the tea leaves, and it is ready 
to bring to the table. Tea should not boil 
nor stand long after the hot water is poured 



THE KITCHEN 73 

Upon it. There is no economy in saving tea 
or coffee for second use. Throw it out and 
make less next time. 

When there is a large family it is economy 
to buy flour by the barrel, keeping it in a 
cool, dry place. 

A strong platform made a little larger than 
the barrel and about two inches high, with 
four stout castors, is a great convenience for 
rolling a barrel of flour from the door to its 
place. 

Buy oatmeal or rolled oats by the quan- 
tity. Also starch is cheaper by the quantity. 
One must use a great deal of care and good 
judgment, hovv'ever, in buying by the quan- 
tity, not to get so much it vvill spoil before it 
can be used. If a woman sets about the task 
it will be but a short time till she can buy 
very close to her needs. 

Save all the berry and fruit boxes and bas- 
kets for kindling fires. Save all medicine bot- 
tles, wash and dry them. When getting a 
prescription filled at the drug store take one 
of these bottles along. It will save you five 
or ten cents. 

In the morning after the dining table is 



74 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

cleared, and while the water is heating for the 
dishes, go to the sleeping-rooms, open the 
windows, shake up the pillows, turn the bed- 
ding back over the foot of the bed, with a 
chair placed under, to keep them off the 
floor. Gather up and put into place any 
article left about the room. By this time the 
water is heated. 

I like to wash the tins and ironware first, 
wiping them with the dishcloth and setting 
them to dry, after which they may be put in 
their place. Scour them, if they need it, each 
day. Try wetting the cloth in kerosene in- 
stead of water, when scouring faucets, brass, 
copper, tinware, granite or in fact any kitchen 
utensil. (Washing the inside after the scour- 
ing of any article used for cooking.) It will 
require about half the strength to accomp- 
Hsh the same result. 

Do not leave dishes of any kind from one 
meal to another. It is untidy to do so, and 
again they are harder to wash. Next, with 
clean water wash the glassware, next the sil- 
verware, then the china. White lead makes 
an excellent cement for china, etc. When all 
the dishes are done get clean water and wash 



THE KITCHEN 75 

table, shelf and sink. And last, but not least, 
with more clean water, rinse your dish towels 
and dishcloth (the latter scald once in 
awhile), hanging them out to dry. You will 
then never have a sour dishcloth. Save scrub- 
bing your kitchen table by laying paper on 
it. Replenish often. Putting a paper folded 
several thicknesses over the sink drain will 
prevent odors, should there be any, from es- 
caping into the room. Never leave scraps 
of food about anywhere. Take them to the 
outside garbage pail or the refuse heap. Or, 
if they must be kept inside for a short time 
keep them well covered. Have what is known 
as open plumbing. There wall then be no 
"catch-all," i. e., less dirt and less odors. 

As a grocer approached the rear door of 
a customer's house he remarked: "Mrs. B., 
this is the queerest back door I ever saw." 
The lady looked up rather astonished and 
asked quickly: "Why, Mr. T., what ails it?" 
"Well," said he, "I never see flies around this 
door!" Mrs. B., very much relieved at this 
reply, answered: "The flies would starve to 
death here." There is no good reason why 
every back door could not be kept free from 



76 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

litter and garbage and thereby free from flies. 

Well, while I have been gossiping, you 
have rubbed your stove with a paper, swept 
the floor, hung the broom on its nail and are 
ready to leave the kitchen for a time. Let's 
sit down just a minute to rest. I have some- 
thing more I wish to tell you. We may just 
as well sit as to stand. 

I wanted to say where there is no collector 
for the garbage, and you have a garden or 
grounds large enough, it might be buried just 
under the surface of the soil. It will make the 
ground fertile. If that cannot be done, dig a 
hole, put the refuse into it and cover with 
earth or ashes. Coal ashes if mixed with clay 
soil will pulverize and make it pHable. 

Save all your rags for the rag collector. 
Before throwing old garments in the rag bar- 
rel cut off all good buttons, putting them 
into a box for that purpose. Some may think 
it not worth while to save rags; but let me 
tell you they will bring you a good many pen- 
nies, which can be used for the missionary 
box or for postage stamps or for Johnny's or 
Susie's Sunday School money. 

Again, I believe you will be interested in 



THE KITCHEN ^7 

a conversation I once heard in regard to com- 
plexions. Please excuse me for deviating 
from my subject — the kitchen. But this is 
so closely allied to it that it will fit here. I 
think you will all agree with me that most 
women are inclined to be vain on the subject 
of looks. Else why do most of them powder 
their faces? 

Travel where you may, w^e see not only the 
middle-aged women, but often old women, 
frequently girls, with powdered faces. But I 
must return to the dialague: ''Mrs. B., what 
do you do or how do you manage that all 
your family have such rosy cheeks and clear 
complexions?" asked a young woman, Miss 
D. ''As long ago as I can remember," Mrs. 
B. replied, "my father gave us children sul- 
phur and molasses every spring, and I have, 
with the exception of a year or two. not failed 
to give it to my children and taken it myself." 

"Why, Mrs. B., do you really believe that 
does any good?" asked Miss D. 

"Certainly I do, for it is a blood cleanser, 
and, although an old-fashioned remedy, it is 
an excellent spring medicine." 



78 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

"When and how is it to be taken?" asked 
Miss D. 

"Wait until the weather is quite mild, about 
May in the northern states. Buy the pow- 
dered sulphur, take two-thirds sulphur, one- 
third cream of tartar and molasses (not sy- 
rup) enough to make it the consistency of 
thick cream. Dose: One teaspoonful every 
morning before eating, for three mornings, 
skip three, then take three again, and so on 
until you have taken it nine mornings," said 
Mrs. B. "But sulphur has not all to do with 
a clear complexion. Eat proper food and 
regularly, keeping early hours. Improper eat- 
ing and food, together with late hours, are 
an abomination to a rosy complexion and 
good health." 

Another question from Miss D.: "Do you 
think candy helps to make a poor complex- 
ion?" 

"Much candy? Yes, I really do." 

"But you need not take my word for it," 
said Mrs. B. "Look about you and if among 
your acquaintances you know of one or more 
who eat rich food, make 'fudge' frequently, 
eat whenever they take a notion, or 'piece 



THE KITCHEN 79 

between meals,' then if you have an oppor- 
tunity, scrutinize their skin. Is it possible for 
such a person to have a clear complexion 
after such a breach of hygiene? The blood 
reflects in the face the state of the stomach. 
It is not necessary that one have a white skin 
to have a good complexion." 

*'Do you never powder?" a little smile pass- 
ing over Miss D.'s face. 

"Never in my life," quickly answered Mrs. 
B., "have I put powder on my face. I should 
as soon think of filling the pores of my whole 
body with powder as put it on my face." 

"Well, do you use soap on your face?" 
again asked Miss D. 

"Yes; I wash my face in soft water, using 
a pure soap at least once a day; oftener if I 
think there is need of it." 

"I should like to know if there is nothing 
you would recommend in the place of sul- 
phur?" quickly asked Miss D. 

Mrs. B. replied: "I must say this in favor 
of sulphur. It is a very simple and inexpen- 
sive medicine, and need be taken only in the 
spring, except the blood is much out of order; 
in that case September would be the month. 



8o ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

But lemon juice is a good tonic. One tea- 
spoonful of the juice in a little cool water 
taken in the morning before breakfast is ex- 
cellent. Pomelo or grape fruit is also a good 
tonic, and, while the latter is expensive, it 
takes but a small piece to equal a dose of 
lemon juice. Bear in mind, though, you should 
use no sugar with either the grape fruit or 
the lemon if you wish the tonic effect. It is 
economy to use these tonics for the health's 
sake." 

Miss D. looked up and earnestly said: 
"I believe I'll try the sulphur." 

''I know you will find it very beneficial," 
said Mrs. B., ''and while you are trying it 
extend the trial in other directions one year 
and satisfy yourself as to the effect." 

"Oh, I'm afraid I cannot give up all those 
good things," rejoined Miss D. 

"Rest assured, my dear girl, there are 
enough 'good things' left to satisfy the most 
exacting appetite," was Mrs. B.'s final reply. 

In the spring of the year dandelion greens 
are most \vholesome and may bediad for the 
trouble of picking them. Go into God's acres 
or send the children as soon as the dandelion 



THE KITCHEN Si 

appears above the ground. Enough for a 
meal may be gathered in a short time. Look 
them over carefully and wash well. Parboil- 
ing removes the most bitter taste. Then add 
salt and more boiling water. Prepare a dozen 
messes during the springtime. A physician 
says: "If every family would eat freely of 
dandelion greens there would be scarcely any 
liver trouble." 

When preparing meals or baking instead 
of getting a fresh spoon or dish wash those 
you have in use, thus saving the accumulation 
of dirty dishes. 

In stoning raisins pour near-boiling water 
over them, let stand a minute or two, pour 
water off, add cold water and with a sharp 
knife the seeds will slip out free from the 
pulp. It is a short process, compared to the 
old way. 

If you have left-over mashed potatoes use 
them for croquettes for breakfast or lunch. 
For instance, take a small piece of boiled 
codfish shredded, add one egg, beaten — the 
yolk alone may be used or the white — a pinch 
of salt, a dash of pepper; mix all together. 
If too soft add a little flour. Make into rolls 



82 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

or balls and roll in bread crumbs. Take some 
of the meat drippings or lard into a deep skil- 
let, and when very hot, drop the balls into 
it. Try one first, to test the heat of the fat. 
For if it is not hot enough they will fall to 
pieces. The potato without the codfish is 
very good. These may also be made fiat 
and fried in a spider with a very little fat to 
wet the surface. 

When parboiling beans add a piece of soda 
(salaratus) the size of a bean. It will im- 
prove them. 

It is an excellent plan to wash all fruit be- 
fore serving it on the table or even handling 
it. Bananas, oranges, etc. They are neces- 
sarily handled by many hands before they 
reach you. 

Salad Dressing: Preferable to the regular 
mayonnaise. It certainly is very palatable 
and cheaper and much less work to make. 
One teaspoon each of salt and ground mus- 
tard; three tablespoons of sweet cream, a 
piece of butter the size of a small walnut, 
three tablespoons of sugar, the yolk of one 
large egg, one-third cup of vinegar. Beat 
egg thoroughly, add mustard, smooth the 



THE KITCHEN 83 

lumps out and beat well; add sugar, salt and 
cream, beat well. Stir all together and put 
over the fire (in a double boiler is best), heat 
vinegar and add last. Stir well until it thick- 
ens. If too stiff add a little more cream or 
milk previously heated. 

Johnny Cake: One cup of sweet milk, one 
cup of meal, one-half cup of flour, one egg. 
Butter the size of a large walnut, scant half- 
cup of sugar and two tablespoons baking 
powder. Very nice. — Mrs. Elliot. 

To keep lettuce, water cress, etc., fresh roll 
in a cloth wet in cold water. Put into the 
ice chest or a cool place. 

Tea Cake: Three-fourths cup white sugar, 
one-half cup sweet milk, one and one-half 
cups flour, one tablespoon of soft butter, one 
heaping teaspoon baking powder. Beat egg 
w^ell, add sugar, beat well again; add butter 
and beat again; add milk, then flour, with 
baking powder added to it. This may be 
made into a loaf or layer cake. Very nice and 
cheap. — Chautauqua Cook Book. 

Sponge Cake: One and one-half cups oi 
granulated sugar, three eggs, the whites and 
yolks beaten separately; one-half cup water, 
small one-half teaspoon soda (salaratus) dis- 



84 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

solved in water, one and one-half cups flour, 
one teaspoon cream tartar (small); or bak- 
ing powder may be used in the place of cream 
tartar and soda. Stir in whites last. Beat yolk 
of eggs a little, add sugar and beat over and 
over until very light; put baking powder to 
flour and mix well; add water, then flour to 
egg and sugar; beat white of eggs to stiff 
froth and add last, carefully ; flavor with lemon. 
Very nice. — Chautauqua Cook Book. 

Soak new lima beans in warm water fifteen 
minutes, the skin will slip off readily. Old 
ones require soaking one-half hour or longer, 
then with a sharp knife the skin peals off 
easily. The bean is nicer if this tough skin 
is removed. 

A field marshal's duty is not complete until 
he has made sure that there are no obstruc- 
tions in the way when he marshals his army 
for action. So it should be with every house- 
keeper. Before retiring she should see that 
the scatterings of the day or evening are 
gathered up, so that she and her small army 
may begin the day with level heads and no 
confusion. Don't make the excuse that you 
are too tired unless you are actually sick. If 
you do you'll always be tired. 



CHAPTER IV 

THE DINING ROOM 



CHAPTER IV 
THE DINING ROOM 

The dining room should be as attractive as 
one can afford to make it. Where there are 
children a crumb cloth under the table is a 
great saving. A good heavy brown linen or 
denim is excellent for the purpose and wears 
well. It is easily washed and need be only 
large enough to catch the crumbs and the 
dirt from the shoes. 

Unless you can really afford better, while 
the children are small, and especially for ev- 
ery day use, brown table linen is much more 
economical than the white. It soon bleaches 
and washes easily, and when ironed smoothly 
looks well on the table. Or even red table- 
cloths may be used to advantage. 

When a white tablecloth is used, put tray 
cloths under the children's plates. These can 
be changed often and are not much to wash. 
Red napkins will do for the children, espe- 
cially when fruit is served. There should be 
no lack of napkins for children. If funds are 
87 



88 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

low take the best of old tablecloths, or even 
cotton cloth cut in squares, could be used for 
napkins. The main idea is to accustom chil- 
dren to habits of neatness and refinement. 

Buy the best dishes you can afford. One 
can set a pretty looking table on small 
money. Good pressed glassware and the best 
plated silverware is very reasonable in price 
and with care will last many years. Of extra 
side dishes I believe the finger bowl the most 
sensible. 

It is not our object to dictate the exact 
number, nor the quality of everything to be 
used. But I would advise care and thought 
in furnishing your dining room as elsewhere. 

If there are no children (I hope there are) 
or after they are cared for, and sent on their 
way to school, the table must be cleared. The 
bread should be put into a tin bread box* im- 
mediately upon rising from the table, because 
bread dries so quickly. Pieces of butter 
should be saved for the next meal, but if 
mussed, yet clean, it should be put with the 



*An old boiler with a cover, kept perfectly clean and 
sweet by washing and scalding, is an excellent recep- 
tacle for bread and cake. 



THE DINING ROOM 89 

meat drippings. Put the butter on a clean 
dish, cover and set in the ice chest or a cool 
place. 

As early as children can serve themselves 
use the small plates (called bread and butter 
plates) at each place. The butter may be 
served on these plates, thereby doing away 
with the common butter plate or dish. The 
piece of bread lay on this plate. 

Everything on the different plates belong- 
ing to one's family if carefully saved can be 
warmed over or converted into appetizing 
morsels for the next meal. Put all scraps of 
waste together, scraping clean each dish and 
plate, piling each kind by themselves. Have 
a good-sized tray and carry them to the kitch- 
en table. 

If economy of steps and time is really nec- 
essary, the crumbs may be brushed from the 
cloth and the table reset for the next meal. 
Or if not, the tablecloth, with the pad, should 
be folded and put into the sideboard or pan- 
try. If care is taken to fold the tablecloth in 
the creases each time, it will look better much 
longer than when folded haphazard. The 
table pad or silence cloth, should be the heavy 



90 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

double-faced cloth made for that purpose or 
one can use some other thick material. The 
pad is quite essential, preserving the polish 
of the table and preventing noise from the 
handling of dishes. 

Use the sweeper for ordinary sweeping. 
The dusting of the room might wait until 
later if it is not convenient to do it imme- 
diately. 

Don't carry a ''lazy man's load," but when 
you go from one place to another in the house 
look about you; perhaps you can save an 
extra trip by carrying more than one article, 
and maybe bring back something which will 
be required in a short time. 

Clear the table as soon as possible after 
each meal, for food invites flies. 

The meal hours should be understood by 
each member of the household, and they 
should present themselves at that hour regu- 
larly, unless delay J of which they had no con- 
trol, has prevented their doing so. Habitual 
tardiness at meals is, first, an injustice to one's 
self, for the viands cannot be as appetizing 
as if eaten when first cooked. Secondly, it 
is an unkindness to the wife and mother, who 



THE DINING ROOM QI 

has labored to prepare the food that should 
nourish her family. To exact promptness to 
meals from children is instilling in their 
young minds one of the fundamental princi- 
ples of Hfe. But if the excuse for tardiness 
is unavoidable delay, the wife and mother 
should accept it graciously, without frowns 
and complaints, else the calm serenity of the 
meal will be marred needlessly. 



CHAPTER V 

SLEEPING ROOMS 



CHAPTER V 

SLEEPING ROOMS 

These rooms, so important to health, 
should be well ventilated. Open the windows 
at the top as well as at the bottom, that the 
impure air may go out, the fresh air come in. 

If you have not hardwood floors, matting 
makes a better covering than carpets and is 
easily kept clean. Take a half pail of water, 
put a handful of salt in it and with a clean 
cloth or mop wipe the dust off occasionally. 
Do not have the cloth dripping wet, for you 
need only to wipe ofif the surface. Salt helps 
to preserve the fiber and sweetens it also. A 
rug or strip of carpet in front of the bed and 
dresser saves the wear of the matting. 

The metal bedstead is the most economical. 
If possible to do otherwise do not buy the 
cheapest, for the enamel is not as good, hence 
in a short time will look shabbily and require 
a fresh coat. A strong set of woven-wire 
springs comes next. A good cotton mattress 
will wear for years and is clean and comfort- 
95 



96 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

able. A hair mattress is expensive, not only 
at the time of purchase, but it requires more 
care than a cotton one. 

Go to a rehable furniture dealer, select a 
good, clean cotton, not necessarily the high- 
est priced, and a good firm piece of ticking. 
Let him make a mattress for you, giving him 
the size of your bedstead. It should be at 
least four inches thick, the cotton packed 
firmly and tied closely. If it is made prop- 
erly it will not sag in spots by the weight of 
the body. I have been using one now twelve 
years, and it is nearly as smooth and clean as 
when new. 

Put an old quilt or other clean cloth on the 
springs, before putting on the mattress; this 
will prevent wearing holes in it, which the 
springs might do otherwise. These old quilts, 
etc., should be washed twice a year. 

Get geese feathers, not down, for pillows — 
size about twenty-six inches by eighteen 
inches, makes a good one for most people. 
They should weigh about two to two and one- 
half pounds. Have one smaller pair for chil- 
dren and one very small for baby. 

When a fresh pillow slip is put on, thrust 



SLEEPING ROOMS 97 

the hand into the corners and pull the corner 
of the slip over the corner of the pillow. Then 
straighten the slip and the pillow will look 
neater when on the bed. If you are particular 
to keep slips on your pillows at all times, the 
tick will not need washing oftener than once 
in ten or fifteen years. The most satisfactory 
way to wash them is to empty the feathers. If 
washed with the feathers in, the tick is apt to 
dry streaked and the feathers get musty. 

Next the mattress lay the bed pad, which 
can be made by taking two pieces of un- 
bleached cotton cloth, about three-fourths 
the size of the mattress, putting a good thick 
layer of cotton-wool between (a cheap grade 
of cotton will answer). Tie as for comfort- 
ables, turn the edges in and sew on the ma- 
chine. 

Next put on a sheet with the right side 
up, tucking it down snugly all around. Next, 
the upper sheet with the wrong side up. This 
brings the right sides of the two sheets to- 
gether. Then comes a quilt or blanket if in 
summer or a comfortable if in winter. Then 
last, your white spread. Let the spread fall 
over the bed all around. Now turn the top 



98 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

sheet over the quih (turnmg the sheet over 
helps decidedly to keep the edge of the quilt 
clean), but under the spread at the head, and 
then put on your pillows, setting them up a 
little. Stand off and look, and if you have 
not a nice, clean, comfortable bed, then I 
am mistaken. 

Let me tell you that the pad helps to keep 
the mattress clean and can be washed very 
easily. It is really indispensable. For small 
children's beds have several, that they may 
be washed often. 

A good habit to form is to open your bed 
to air before you leave your room in the 
morning. When you use mattresses there is 
no need of pulling the bed to pieces every 
morning. If you use a feather-bed (I hope 
you do not) more care must be taken in air- 
ing and making than with mattresses. If you 
have a feather-bed to spare make your pil- 
lows at home. Get the best feather ticking, 
take bees-wax and wax the inside thoroughly. 
It will prevent the feathers protruding and 
keeps out moths. Pillows ought to be hung 
in the sun frequently to air and lighten the 
feathers. Once a month is none too often. 



SLEEPING ROOMS 99 

To empty pillows, rip about six inches at 
one end of pillow, have ready another tick or 
pillow-case and sew one edge over the open- 
ing of the other. Now work the feathers ont 
into the empty case. It will take some pa- 
tience, but when done the feathers are all se- 
cured and none wasted. Sew the opening 
together and wash the tick, not turning it on 
the wrong side. Iron and when perfectly dry 
return the feathers in the same way. 

If you have old lace curtains too ragged for 
use as long ones, take the best part of them, 
darn the holes, wash carefully and press, and 
they will wear a long time as sash curtains. 
Like an old carpet after it is cleaned and re- 
paired and put in place, they look well. By 
the way, hang your sash curtains on the win- 
dow-sash, instead of the casing, so when the 
window is raised the wind will not whip and 
rot it. If you will loop your long curtains 
back out of the sun and wind they will wear 
at least a third longer. 

Do not wear kitchen aprons to make beds. 
Save washing by being careful in this respect. 
Light calico aprons without bibs are the best 
for work outside the kitchen, and save one*s 

LofC. . 



lOO ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

dress. Use cotton dresses or short skirts and 
waists as much as possible. They wash eas- 
ily and keep one looking tidy. No matter if 
a woman has everything to do about the 
house, there is no need of having a dirty 
house nor being untidy yourself. Clothing 
will get soiled of course, but with habitual 
care it will be just as easy to keep yourself 
and your house clean as otherwise. We once 
knew a woman who would scrub and clean 
the house, fix the children and herself almost 
spotless one day, and the next muss and strew 
things around, making confusion, where the 
day before was order. Don't copy after such 
a woman — don't, I beg of you. 

Where there is no bathroom the wash 
bowls, etc., in each bedroom should be emp- 
tied early in the morning, washing and wip- 
ing thoroughly, and filling the pitchers with 
clean water. These are very important items. 

If baby has wet the bed padding, rinsing 
might save an extra washing. Hang out in 
the sun to dry and air. I remember quite 
well of calling upon a neighbor, who prided 
herself upon being a good housekeeper; but 



SLEEPING ROOMS lOI 

the odor from her child's bedroom was not 
pleasant. 

Have pocket bags nailed to your closet 
doors, for holding shoes or soiled collars, etc. 
Have a basket or some kind of a receptacle 
for soiled clothing. Keep it in the laundry or 
in some suitable place out of sight. Each 
person should have his or her individual 
towel, comb and brush, also toothbrush. No 
mother should neglect these small items. 
There should be a nail brush in the bathroom 
or accessible to every member of the family. 
At times hands, nails and finger ends need a 
brush to get the grime ofif. Workingmen, 
no difference what their trade, might have 
well-kept hands by using this inexpensive lit- 
tle brush. You can get these brushes, both 
large and small, with wooden backs, with 
handles or without. 

If, as a boy, your husband was not taught 
to wait upon himself, now would be a good 
time to begin. If a zvife is neat and orderly 
a husband will soon ''fall into line." There 
are cases in which the husband is the more 
orderly of the two. Look out, wives! Hus- 
bands should have a closet to themselves, if 



I02 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

possible. If that much room camiot be spared 
then give him one side, asking him to help 
you that much, by hanging his garments in 
the closet instead of on the chairs, bed or 
the floor. A drawer in the dresser or chif- 
fonier should be allotted to his own use. He 
will not then need to call wife or daughter, 
to find this or that for him. You may deem 
this impossible. No, it is not, nor is it too 
much to expect of him unless business calls 
are sudden and urgent. We know of hus- 
bands and sons who, when taking their baths, 
get their own materials together (they knozv 
the place for tozvels, etc., and always find 
them in their place), get their own clothing, 
dress themselves, hang up and put away their 
several kinds of clothing and before starting 
out or giving the wife the parting kiss, re- 
mark: ''Am I all right?" Husbands, try that 
experiment six months and witness if the 
parting kiss will not be the sweeter for it. 
The satisfaction of having left nothing for the 
tired wife or mother to pick up after them 
must cause lighter steps. 

How about the wife? Well, the wife and 
mother knows full well if she does not set 



SLEEPING ROOMS IO3 

the example, there is no use expecting the 
other members of the family to wait upon 
themselves. 

To clean hair brushes take a quart of warm 
water, add a teaspoonful of salaratus, wash 
and rub between the bristles with the hand or 
cloth. Work up and down in the water, then 
rinse thoroughly. Hang up in the sun to dry. 
Remove the hair from the comb after each 
hair dressing and frequently clean the comb 
thoroughly. If you are saving the combings 
do not roll the hair over the finger. Put it 
loosely into a box or bag to keep free from 
dust. Set brushes with the backs up, there- 
by preventing the dust from settling in the 
bristles. 

Do not make a catch-all of your closets 
and bureau drawers. Keep them in half-way 
decent if not perfect order. 



CHAPTER VI 

THE CELLAR AND ATTIC 



CHAPTER VI 

THE CELLAR AND ATTIC 

Where there is a cellar under the house, 
great care should be taken to have it well 
drained and kept as dry as possible. Keep 
the dust and cobwebs swept out. Do not 
leave decaying vegetables to accumulate. If 
you keep them in the cellar, do not cut the 
tops and roots off as you use them, leaving 
the refuse to decay; but rather bring out 
of the cellar the amount you need and do 
the cutting upstairs. Keep the cellar well 
ventilated, for if there be odors they will 
penetrate the whole house, making it a dan- 
gerous place in which to live. In very hot 
weather the cellar windows should be closed 
during the day, and opened at night. 

If there is a furnace, it will be quite as 
easy to take care of it properly each day as 
to let the ashes and other litter pile up before 
your eyes. It is better and easier to care 
for a few ashes each day than to have a 
wholesale cleaning once a week or season. 
107 



I08 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

Then the dust to fly about the house will be 
less, also making less work for the woman 
who must clean up. 

'The tendency of pipes and furnace flues 
to fill with soot at this season of the year is 
so marked, that any suggestion of a conven- 
ient remedy for that condition is worthy of 
serious consideration. A correspondent to 
the St. Paul Pioneer Press says that zinc 
burned in the furnace is very effective. Just 
throw upon the fire a handful of zinc filings, 
or a piece of sheet zinc as large as your hand, 
and it clears away the soot as if by magic. 
Once a week will suffice. Shut the door 
quickly after throwing in the zinc. Our in- 
formant says his family has used this method 
for forty years, and never had occasion to 
employ a chimney sweep. 

''As the Pioneer Press suggests, this rem- 
edy is not expensive. A worn-out zinc 
washboard will furnish enough of the metal 
for six or eight occasions. And if you have 
to buy sheet zinc, twenty-five cents' worth 
may suffice for a single fire all winter. Even 
when soft coal is used in hard coal stoves and 
furnaces, the zinc will keep them open, so 



THE CELLAR AND ATTIC lOQ 

that those who have been unable to secure 
anthracite will not be seriously inconven- 
ienced by the change. 

"If this recipe from St. Paul is all that it 
is claimed for it, the inconveniences of using 
soft coal are reduced to a minimum, and its 
cheapness more than compensates for being 
deprived of hard coal. If it will keep the 
chimneys clean, the cost of chimney sweeps, 
as well as the dangers from fire by burning 
out, are both avoided." — Des Moines Reg- 
ister and Leader.* 

In sweeping a cellar floor, have a pail of 
water, wet the broom in this, shaking off 
the water. Your floor will be cleaner and 
the dust will not fly. 

An attic is a boon to any housekeeper. It 
should have a smooth matched floor, and be 
kept clean. There the children may play on 
wet days. It is a grand place to dry wash- 
ing in stormy and freezing weather. It is 
a capital place to dry lace curtains. Buy a 
pair of curtain stretchers; they will soon pay 
for themselves. To wash lace curtains, or 



*The zinc remedy was tested by us this winter 
(1902-03) and found all that is claimed for it. 



no ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

any in fact, first shake them free of dust. 
Let them stand a few minutes in tepid water. 
Work up and down a few times, then 
squeeze, not wring out. Now take luke- 
warm water and plenty of soap and wash 
them gently on the board, if you must. 
Wash in two waters. Rinse in clear water. 
Squeeze the water out instead of putting 
through the wringer. Next, in a clean water 
put a little bluing, and for starching put 
about a quart of clear boiled starch into the 
blue-w^ater for each pair of curtains. In pin- 
ning them on the stretchers put them on 
straight and pull gently, so not to tear them. 
They look more like new ones done in this 
way. If, after drying, there are holes in 
them, darn or draw together with coarse 
thread, press the darns with a warm iron, and 
you will be pleased with the result. Iron 
muslin curtains on the wrong side. 

After the curtains are off, pack the frames 
together, cover and tie with paper, and set 
away in some corner. They will be clean 
when wanted again. I call your attention 
to this, for if they are left to accumulate dust, 
in time they will be too filthy to use. I 



THE CELLAR AND ATTIC III 

once saw a pair of stretchers that were the 
color of an unpainted barn, and owned by a 
w^oman who called herself neat. The chil- 
dren should not be allowed to play with the 
household wares. 

While an attic is a grand place for storage 
purposes, it should not be filled up with old 
furniture and clothing which may never 
again be used by your family. Give away 
or burn furniture you can never repair. If 
it can be restored to usefulness, then by all 
means have it done, and save the expense of 
new. The same with clothing. Make over 
for yourself and the children anything which 
can be used; otherwise give it to some one 
who can use it, or consign it to the rag 
barrel. Do not leave them for the moths to 
eat. If garments must be stored, first brush 
them well, hang out in the sun a few hours, 
then wrap securely in some moth preventive. 

You should look well to the ventilation of 
the attic. Don't forget the screens for the 
windows. Keep the windows open most of 
the time, except in stormy or very cold 
weather. 

When coal is to 'be put in the bin, throw a 



112 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

pail or two of water over it while in the 
wagon to settle the dust; it will save so much 
dirt in your cellar. 

If you will throw a shovelful or two of 
coal on your furnace fire (in the morning) 
before shaking it, you will see how much 
quicker it will come up than where the shak- 
ing is done first. 

Imitation ground glass — fine for cellar 
windows: Into not quite a pint of boiling 
w'ater stir one-fourth pound of gum arable, 
and after it is dissolved add three-fourths 
pound of Epsom salts. Let thoroughly dis- 
solve and apply to the glass with a brush. 
Let dry and apply a second coat. 



CHAPTER VII 

CLEANING AND DUSTING 



CHAPTER VII 

CLEANING AND DUSTING 

In washing varnished or painted wood- 
work, take clean soft water (the chill taken 
off) and a little soapy, then with a clean 
cloth which will not shed lint wash a small 
portion, wiping it immediately with a dry 
cloth. By so doing your woodwork will 
look clean and bright, not dull and streaked, 
as we often see. Do not wash windows 
while the sun is shining on them. Take 
lukew^arm water, about a gallon, add a tea- 
spoon of kerosene oil, wash the glass quickly, 
rub with a dry cloth, and polish with a third, 
and you will see an improvement in the 
looks of the glass. Or wash in the ordinary 
way, then with a clean cloth, dipped in alcohol, 
rub over the glass, then polish. In washing the 
outside of windows, be cautious about letting 
the dirty water drip down on the siding. 
Take notice as you walk along the streets, 
you frequently see black streaks under the 
115 



Il6 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

windows, caused by the dirty water when 
cleaning them. 

For the walls and ceilings of the rooms, I 
would suggest getting a long-handled brush, 
made for that purpose. Whenever you give 
your rooms a thorough sweeping, use it to 
brush down the dust. It is surprising the 
amount of dust adhering to the walls. The 
paper or tinting will look fresher if the dust 
is kept ofT. In sweeping carpets, wet your 
broom in clean water, shake hard to remove 
the loose water before applying to the car- 
pets or rugs. Dip the broom in clean w^ater 
frequently in the course of sweeping a room. 
If you are careful, it will leave no moisture 
and will collect dust that otherwise will fly 
about the room. Remove, or cover with 
paper, all upholstered furniture or bric-a- 
brac. 

The carpet sweeper should be emptied 
after each sweeping, and the hair and threads 
picked from the brush. Sweepings should 
be burned or put into the garbage, not 
thrown out to litter the steps and yard. 

Take time and pains to dig the dirt and 
dust out of the corners of the room or win- 



CLEANING AND DUSTING II7 

dow-sash, or on the stairs. A stick with a 
round pointed end is handy for that purpose. 

Cheesecloth is best for dusting. For 
highly polished surfaces have the cloth dry; 
but for the remaining articles dampen it 
slightly, roll as for ironing, let it remain a 
minute or two, then shake out and continue. 
Your work will be more satisfactory. You 
will undoubtedly need several clean cloths 
in the course of the dusting process. Before 
your dust-cloths dry, rinse them thoroughly 
and hang up; they may be used again before 
consigning them to the washtub. Use an 
old piece of silk for polishing mirrors or win- 
dows, after washing with alcohol. 

A cuspidor is an article not warranted in 
any home, except in cases of sickness or in- 
validism. You may ask, 'What has that to 
do with economy?" Just this: It causes a 
waste of nerve power and a useless expendi- 
ture of strength in its care. Whenever I 
encounter one, however important it may 
appear to be to have them in cars and other 
public places, it puts me in remembrance of 
a little incident which took place in my home. 
My young daughter, and a friend visiting 



Il8 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

her, had planned for a boating trip. The 
girls were awake early and nearly ready when 
the w^ord came, ''No chance to go today." 
The young friend, a mere child, looked up 
with an earnest expression on her face, and 
said, "E , do you know any swear word?" 

"CUSPIDORS IN STREET CARS" 

''The New York alderman who believes 
that cuspidors should be put in street cars 
might better urge that they should be ban- 
ished from the many public places in which 
they have secured a lodgment. Spitting 
may be, as he says, a necessity, but it is also 
a habit which the cuspidor encourages, and 
it is both a filthy and a dangerous habit. 

"If some years ago the Chicago street car 
companies had equipped their cars with cus- 
pidors instead of posting notices against 
spitting, there would have been deterioration 
instead of improvement. Men who chew 
tobacco would have accepted the invitation 
with ardor, and a nuisance would have been 
accepted as an established custom. 

"As it is, public opinion has approved the 
notices, which are backed by the health de- 



CLEANING AND DUSTING IIQ 

partment, and the movement against the 
nuisance has made very perceptible progress. 
Although spitting continues, the conditions 
are vastly better than they were fifteen years 
ago. The knowledge that there is general 
disgust at and condemnation of the offensive 
practice has shamed many people into giving 
it up, to the ever-increasing gain of cleanli- 
ness and decency. 

'The cases in which there is really an im- 
perative necessity for spitting are too few to 
warrant any action which would provoke the 
growth of the custom under new conditions." 
— Taken from the editorial column of the 
Record-Herald, February 9, 1902. 

Therefore, be it resolved, that the cuspidor 
be banished from our homes, and that the 
absence of such is true economy. 

Do not shake your rugs by the end, for 
it tears and wears the fringe and corners. 
Better take hold by the side, shake it, not 
beat it on the side of any surface, then lay 
it flat on some clean spot, and with a clean, 
damp broom sweep well but lightly both 
sides. They will wear much longer if treated 
this way. If large rugs are laid, nap down. 



I20 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

on clean grass and beaten thus, I think you 
will find it an improvement over hanging 
them on the line to beat. 

To sweep hardwood floors, take cotton 
flannel, folded double, cut the shape of a 
broom and amply large, sew together with 
the rough side for the outside. Then about 
one and one-half inches from the folded edg^e, 
stitch across, making a tuck as it were. Put 
a draw-string at the top, draw the bag over 
the broom, and fasten it well to the handle. 
This method gathers up the dust so it does 
not fly about the room. Wash the bag the 
same as dust-cloths. 

Once a month use this dressing on the 
hardwood floors. For it I am indebted to 
''Marion Harland." One gallon raw linseed 
oil, one quart turpentine, one tablespoon salt. 
Mix well and apply with a red flannel cloth. 
Red flannel does not absorb the oil like white 
flannel. This preparation is also good for 
oiled woodwork. There is no need of wash- 
ing with water if this is applied. Simply 
Avipe ofif the dust. This is not good for paint. 
When cleaning floors or woodwork or apply- 
ing oil, rub with the grain of the wood. 



CLEANING AND DUSTING 121 

Paraffine oil, which you can buy at any 
large paint store, is excellent to clean var- 
nished woodwork. No water need be used 
if you use this oil. One pint will be sufficient 
to clean all woodwork of an ordinary sized 
house or flat. 

To clean willow or rattan ware, add one 
tablespoon of saleratus to one-half pail of 
water. Clean in the usual way and rinse 
well, dry, and varnish with a white varnish. 

^To Get Rid of Carpet Bugs.— E. W. 
Waldson, of the Owego Woolen Mills, a 
practical chemist, informs the Record that he 
has discovered a compound that causes the 
death or departure of carpet bugs in short 
order after its application. It is: One ounce 
of alum, one ounce of chloride of zinc, three 
ounces of salt. Mix this with two quarts of 
water and let stand over night. In the 
morning pour it carefully into another vessel 
without sediment. Dilufe this with two 
quarts of water and apply by sprinkling the 
edges of the carpet for a distance of a foot 
from the wall. This is all that will be nec- 
essary, as they will leave boxes, beds or any 
other resort they may have chosen, on the 



122 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

shortest notice possible, and the carpets will 
not be injured in texture or color." — Owego 
(N. Y.) Record. 

My way of cleaning house: The actual 
cleaning is left until there is no need of coal 
fires. But before that time, on bright days 
when windows may be opened, take the 
nooks and closets one at a time. Remove 
everything, brush the walls, and clean the 
shelves and drawers and floor. Put clean 
papers on shelves and in the draAvers. Sort 
out clothing that may not be needed, and 
hang out on the line in the sun and wind any 
garments that are to be stored away for the 
summer. Then put back in place all articles 
that will be required for constant use. Every 
week add one quilt that must be washed to 
the regular washing. 

Some bright morning, when convenient, 
take down and wash one pair or so of cur- 
tains. Hang heavy drapery, that is not to 
be washed, out to sun and air and be shaken 
by the wind free of dust. When brought 
into the house, fold smoothly and wrap in 
paper and lay away until the house is cleaned. 

When the time comes for the other rooms 



CLEANING AND DUSTING 1 23 

to be cleaned, before you begin them have 
the cellar cleaned. If there is a furnace, have 
it cleaned; and if any repairs are needed, 
have it done in the spring. Next straighten 
the attic, cleaning windows and the floor. 
After these are done, begin at the front of 
the house, or the bedrooms if these are on 
the second floor. Take one room at a time, 
not upsetting the whole house at once. The 
furniture should be well dusted before remov- 
ing from the room, the walls swept down if 
no papering or other renovating is to be 
done. The bedding should be put out in 
the sun and each room settled again before 
upsetting another one. 

In this way your family will scarcely realize 
that you are ''cleaning house." 

The heavy draperies should be wrapped 
securely in paper (after they are well aired 
and brushed) and laid away for the summer. 
If the whole or a part of the family remain 
at home through the hot weather, it will 
look more home-like to leave the white cur- 
tains at the windows. Twice a year dust the 
window shades. Not by taking them out of 
their brackets, but get up to them with a 



124 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

Step-ladder. Roll the shade up, and with a 
dean cloth, dampened as for dusting furni- 
ture, wipe it on both sides, drawing down and 
dusting as you pull. You will be surprised 
at the dust which will be wiped off and the 
shade will look brighter for the task. 

If you think of painting your house, save 
one coat of paint by washing it with clean 
water and a generous cloth. Your one coat 
of paint will wear better and look as well as 
two coats. 



CHAPTER VIII 

WASHING AND IRONING 



CHAPTER VIII 

WASHING AND IRONING 

If there is a laundry in the house, the dread 
of 'Vash day" may not be so great. Let me 
suggest that you have a wood floor instead 
of cement for your laundry. Cement is very 
cold to stand on. By filling between the 
stringers with broken stone and brick or 
cement, there will be left no runway for rats 
and mice. 

To return to the washing. If the work 
must be done in the kitchen, and care is 
taken not to leave the boiler to steam away 
when not needed (a habit many have), the 
atmosphere will be much more comfortable 
to work in. It will be economy to get a 
copper boiler, as tin rusts, but it should be 
washed and dried and hung up when the 
washing is done. If you use gas, the fire 
need be kept under the boiler only when in 
actual use. Be careful of the gas at all times. 
Turning it out directly you are through with 
it, not leaving it ''just a minute," makes the 
127 



128 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

difference of quite a fraction of a dollar at 
the end of the month. Do not leave lights 
burning in any part of the house at any time 
if not in use. 

When it is possible, wash on Monday. 
But while it is well to practice system in our 
household affairs, we should not be like the 
^'Medes and Persians," our laws unalterable. 
It may be best to leave the washing for 
Tuesday; but if left later, it is Hable to inter- 
fere with the work the latter part of the week. 
I have changed my regular clearing-up day 
to Monday, for the reason that after the 
family have been at home over Sunday, the 
house needs considerable straightening. 
Tuesday is our washday, and the house is in 
better condition through the week. The 
washing is done comparatively easy if you 
have soft water. If you must use hard water, 
an abundance of good soap is better than 
washing fluids. Or use borax (pulverized) 
in the proportion of one-half pound to ten 
gallons of water. Borax is harmless. 

In case you do not keep a maid for general 
housework, if possible hire a woman by the 
day. If she is at all spry, she will do a good- 



WASHING AND IRONING I2Q 

sized wash and all your cleaning in a day. 
In the summer, when clothes dry quickly, by 
lending her a little aid she will have time to 
iron part of them, provided if, as they dry, 
you will dampen them down. They will be 
ready for her as soon as she is ready for 
them. In the morning have the boiler over 
early, so that the water will be hot for her 
to begin as soon as she arrives. ''An hour 
in the morning is worth two in the after- 
noon" is a very true adage, especially on 
washday. Sort over the clothes, if you can 
spare the time. The table linen first. Should 
there be berry stains, pour boiling water 
upon them; the stain will disappear. Re- 
move other stains, such as tea, peach, etc., 
by wetting with a weak solution of chloride 
of lime, rinsing well before putting in the 
tub. Fresh mildew may be removed by 
soaking in new buttermilk, with a little salt 
added. These things should be done before 
the cloth is wet, and while the stains are new. 
Sweet milk will remove ink stains if soaked 
while fresh. Repeat several times with a 
fresh supply of milk. 

If stains are obdurate, try javelle-water, 



130 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

which you may get of almost any druggist. 

Iron rust may be removed by wetting in 
lemon juice and a layer of salt, and exposing 
in the hot sun. Or buy lemon salts at the 
drug store and proceed in the same way. 

Machine oil may be removed (before the 
cloth is wet) by rubbing well into the spot a 
little butter. Wash out with warm water 
and soap. 

After table linen, then the cleanest of the 
white clothes should be washed. As soon as 
there are enough clothes washed for the first 
boiling (not before) see that there is a good 
hre under the boiler. Have it about half full 
of clean water, cut into it any small pieces of 
soap which have accumulated through the 
week, either in the kitchen or bathroom. 
Generally this will be enough without cutting 
into fresh soap. 

As you wash each piece, examine to make 
sure the soiled spots are removed, turn wrong 
side out and soap well before putting it in to 
boil. Clothes will be whiter if put into cold 
water and let come gradually to the boiling, 
and not allowed to any more than boil up 
well. And do not crowd the clothes into the 



WASHIxNTG AND IRONING I31 

boiler. These will be ready to remove as 
soon as you have sufficient for the second 
boil. 

Before putting in the second allotment dip 
out part of the hot water and add cold water 
and more soap if needed. Do not boil white 
and unbleached or brown clothes together. 

In sudsing the clothes, have plenty of clean 
water, wringing as dry as possible out of 
each water. Unless this care is taken, the 
clothes will soon have a gray or dirty look. 
I have seen washings on the line, wrung so 
loosely that the water dripped from them. 
After wringing clothes, gently shake out the 
wrinkles. There will be less to iron out. 

If you are obliged to use hard water for 
bluing, then blue the water but little, putting 
in one piece at a time, wringing it out imme- 
diately. Put a pint or less of boiled starch 
into the blue-water. Do not have the starch 
hot, or it will lump as it strikes the cold 
water. Thin the starch a little and put it in 
the water gradually. It will not make the 
clothes stifif, but gives them a body, as we 
call it, so they iron easier and look nicer 



132 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

when done. It is a good process for tabid 
linen. 

Caution: Rinse handkerchiefs before put- 
ting the starch into the water, for these must 
not have the least suspicion of starch. 

Half an hour or more before you are ready 
for the colored clothes put them into clean 
cold water, and let them stand until you are 
ready to wash them. Wring out of this, and 
wash them in tepid water, using a good mild 
soap. Wash carefully and use as little soap 
as possible. Rinse well, starch not too stiff, 
and hang out immediately in a shady place. 
Do not put the dark-colored clothes in with 
the light ones. Starch summer neckties in 
very thin watery starch; they must not be 
stiff. A handful of salt in the rinse water 
will set blue or black and white goods. If 
you are careful in washing colored clothes 
they retain their color until worn out. Then, 
too, remember when wet the sun fades deli- 
cate colors; also that freezing fades them. 

Wash black stockings — in fact, all hosiery 
— in clean tepid water, using a mild soap and 
rinsing in clean water. Water in which white 
clothes have been washed or rinsed will leave 



WASHING AND IRONING 



133 



lint on them. Pull into shape stockings and 
socks, especially the length of the foot, and 
in wool more particularly. 

Do not wash clothes in water after it has 
becom.e dirty. Water is usually cheap, and 
it will pay you to be liberal, for your clothes 
will be much whiter. 

To make starch, take two tablespoons of 
starch, make smooth with cold water, add a 
quart of boiling water, add a pinch of salt, 
and allow it to just boil up. If it boils long, 
it causes stickiness, and we all know what 
havoc is wrought when we have sticky starch. 
If a skin forms on the top of the starch before 
ready to use, remove it, as that also will cause 
it to stick. 

Flour starch will answer very well for 
colored clothes. Take a tablespoonful of 
flour, wet up with cold water (smooth out all 
lumps), pour over it a quart of boiling water. 
Let boil well, but do not add salt. Strain 
through a thin cloth. 

Before putting clothes into the wringer, 
see that the buttons are turned inside the 
garment; it vAll prevent the rollers from 
tearing them off. Again— economy. Use 



134 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

kerosene oil to clean the rubber rollers of the 
clothes wringer. Loose the thumb-screw on 
top, and rinse it well before putting away. 

If there are blood stains on handkerchiefs 
or any garments, put to soak in lukezvarm 
water, let stand a few moments, wring out, 
soap them, and put again into lukewarm 
water. Let stand in this until ready to wash 
them. Then wash in the usual way, soap 
well, fold, and roll, putting them into cold 
or tepid water (never hot), and scald. You 
will not mind the extra work when you see 
how well it pays. 

If you have a grass plat, lay white clothes 
on it to bleach. So also will freezing bleach 
them. Do not leave clothes on the line after 
they are dry. I have seen clothes whip in 
the wind until the corners were ragged. 
Don't hang undershirts by the shoulders. It 
makes the shoulders stretch, and that causes 
the sleeves to be too long. I like the way 
of putting them on the line from bottom to 
shoulder, throwing one sleeve over the line. 
Hang women's drawers by the bottoms; they 
present a better appearance when on the line. 

Keep the clothes basket clean. If pos- 



WASHING AND IRONING 1 35 

sible, dampen the clothes the night before 
you wish to iron. They iron easier if ironed 
the following day after being washed. If 
left long in the basket, you have those extra 
hard-pressed wrinkles to iron out. In 
sprinkling, use warm water and do not get 
them wet, but just damp. If too wet, it 
takes hotter irons and more time and 
strength to accomplish the same results. 

In folding them down, smooth them as 
much as possible, then you will have fewer 
wrinkles to iron out. Try it. 

Do not sprinkle shirt waists and negligee 
shirts as ordinary articles. About two hours 
before ironing them, take a level tablespoon 
of starch, add a pint of cold water (the 
amount of starch and water would be accord- 
ing to the number of pieces to be starched. 
There should be no starch adhering after the 
piece is wrung dry), and dissolve all the 
starch. The negUgee shirts should have the 
cufifs and the front piece dipped in the cold 
starch, wring dry, lay the shirt on the table, 
and fold the bottom over the wet front, then 
each sleeve with the cufif laid smooth, fold 
over again, and roll as tightly as possible. 



136 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

Treat shirt waists in the same way, with the 
addition of sprinkling the back and the upper 
part of sleeves. 

Any article requiring extra stiffness should, 
in addition to having been starched in boiled 
starch, be dipped in cold starch a couple of 
hours before ironing. Should any starch 
adhere to the cuff, etc., take a damp cloth and 
rub ofT before putting the hot iron on. Iron 
the wrong side first and then the right. Any 
starched article should be ironed perfectly 
dry, else it will dry wrinkled. When through 
with the cold starch, let settle, pour off water, 
let the starch dry, and put it back with the 
starch. 

If possible, bring your clothes-line in after 
each washing and hang it in its place. You 
well remember how black it gets if left out 
long, and it will leave a streak on your clean 
clothes, even if you try to wipe it oft. A bag 
is best for your clothes-pins. Often we have 
seen marks on otherwise clean clothes caused 
by dirty pins. 

Flannels and woolen hosiery should be 
washed in tepid soft water; never hot, never 
cold. They should not be wet until you can 



WASHING AND IRONING I37 

wash and finish them. Dissolve a Httle pure 
soap into the water. Squeeze rather than 
wring them. Rinse in tepid water, a trifle 
soapy, and just a suspicion of bhie. Dry in a 
mild atmosphere, never freeze them, and 
press with care, using not a very hot iron, 
putting a cloth between flannel and iron. 
Heat and cold, as well as water, will shrink 
all wool goods. 

To keep a white knitted shawl fresh and 
clean for months or years: As soon as you 
are through with it, instead of throwing it on 
chair or bed, wrap it in a clean white cloth, 
kept expressly for it, and put it into closet 
or drawer. If it must be cleaned, rub flour 
into it, "let remain twenty-four hours, again 
rub well, then shake free from the flour dust. 
Repeat if not clean. 

Doilies and center-pieces, especially col- 
ored embroidery, should be washed carefully 
in soft water with a mild soap, rinse in an- 
other water, and thirdly in water slightly 
blued. Do not starch them. Then, instead 
of hanging up to dry, roll in a dry cloth (an 
old sheet perhaps), and in an hour or so iron 
on a soft surface and on the wrong side. 



138 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

Separate lace pieces should not be 
starched, but after washing carefully, pin 
down on a flat, smooth surface each point or 
scallop, care being taken to straighten and 
pin the article in proper shape. If the lace 
is a long strip, fasten a clean cloth around a 
large bottle and wind the lace round and 
round the bottle, pulling it even. Do not 
iron laces treated in this way. If there are 
tiny holes, darn and press these gently. This 
is a very satisfactory way of renovating old 
or soiled laces. 

When through with the wash, empty all 
water from the tubs, rinse well, and with a 
cloth remove all dirt which adheres to the 
sides. I have seen tubs with a streak all 
around showing where the dirty suds had 
been left from week to week. In summer it 
is best to leave a little clean water in the 
bottom of tubs to prevent their leaking. 
Now we are ready to clean up and put things 
in their place. 

The wringer should be rinsed off, as also 
should the washboard. I have seen these left 
with dirty suds on, that has dried so thick 
that it could be scraped off. 



WASHING AND IRONING 1 39 

Don't try to lift a tub or boiler with water 
in it. But rather dip out most of it and 
avoid the strain on the back. You will have 
a stronger back when at middle age if you 
are careful. After using the mop or clean- 
ing cloths, they should be rinsed well and 
hung up to dry. 

If you have a garden or plants and vines, 
instead of throwing out the suds water, pour 
it around the roots of vegetables or flowers. 
It is best not to wet the leaves with it. Soap- 
suds is a valuable fertilizer. 

IRONING 

The ironing-board should be covered with 
a smooth, thick material, preferably an old 
flannel sheet folded double. Tack it smooth- 
ly onto the board, then over this a clean 
cotton cloth tacked firmly. The outside 
cloth can be renewed often, keeping the sur- 
face clean. A piece of beeswax or parafBne 
covered with a cloth is fine to rub the irons 
on, taking care to clean it well on a paper or 
cloth which you always have within reach. 

Sprinkle a little salt on a smooth board 
and rub your irons on it. This will help 
take the roughness off. 



140 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

In ironing any goods cut on the bias, be 
careful not to stretch and get the garment 
out of shape. Hang up each piece as you 
iron it, so that it may dry in shape and air 
well. Every-day sheets fold, hem to hem, 
right side out, fold again, iron hem well up on 
the sheet, iron the edges smoothly, fold 
again, and hang up to air. Do you not be- 
lieve that is time and strength enough to 
spend on them? If they are for your spare 
bed, then iron the whole surface. Why not 
economize on time, strength and fuel in iron- 
ing unstarched every-day garments? Wash- 
cloths and dusters need not be ironed, simply 
folded smoothly. If your maid is a good, 
conscientious girl, it might pay to allow her 
to economize with the ironing. Table linen 
and starched garments should not be slight- 
ed. Scallops and points on embroidery and 
lace should first be gently pulled out, then 
iron on the wrong side, which brings out the 
figure prominently. When possible, iron on 
the wrong side ginghams, chambray, and any 
delicate colors. 

The fringe of tablecloths, napkins, etc., 
may while slightly damp (not wet) be combed 



WASHING AND IRONING I4I 

out with a coarse comb. Get a coarse comb 
without any fine teeth and keep it for that 
purpose. 

After all is done and thoroughly aired, 
take down, fold neatly all garments belong- 
ing in drawers, piling each person's by them- 
selves, leaving at one side any that may need 
buttons or repairing. These should be put 
into a box or basket, and kept there until 
time can be spared to mend them, of course 
some time during the week. Do not put 
garments on yourself, or your children, with 
rents in them. It is neither tidy nor eco- 
nomical. ''Can't take time?" I cannot agree 
with you. What has been done can be done. 
If you practice this habit of mending, your 
husband, your children, and yourself will 
have the name of being well dressed, and the 
credit will belong to both parents — the father 
for providing, and the mother for making 
that provision go just as far as it is possible. 

Put the sheets, pillow-slips, towels, nap- 
kins, and tablecloths each by themselves — • 
the fresh ones under the pile on the shelf or 
drawer. The reason for this is so these will 
not be used the following week, thereby giv- 



142 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

ing them a rest as we give our shoes. Your 
dozen sheets, etc., will last longer by this 
method. Next put each member's under- 
wear, etc., in their separate drawers provided 
for them. Hang in the closets skirts, dresses, 
etc. Is it not a great satisfaction when this 
is all done? Yes, and how pleased each one 
is to find his clean, sweet clothes, instead 
of running all about the house, hunting for 
this or that, and perhaps at last crying or 
scolding because it cannot be found. 

Of course the ironing-board, the irons and 
holders should be put away in their places, 
not left standing around to make more con- 
fusion. 

There would be less dissatisfaction if a 
quiet state of affairs could be found in every 
home. I am not saying that disorder and 
extravagance is a prominent feature of di- 
vorces; but it is one cause which is apt to 
lead to it. 

"Poor cooking and untidy housekeeping 
was the underlying cause of the severing of 
the marital bonds of 400 couples in Chicago 
last year, according to Ernest P. Bicknell, 
general superintendent of the Chicago Board 



WASHING AND IRONING I43 

of Charities. The statement was made by 
Mr. Bicknell before a gathering of students 
at the University of Chicago. The 400 cases 
to which he referred were those that actually 
came under his notice in the pursuance of 
his official duties. Lax methods of house- 
keeping on the part of the women formed 
the cause in each instance, he said, for the 
desertion by husbands. The wife would then 
apply for divorce on the ground of desertion, 
though primarily she was responsible for the 
trouble. Each of the 400 cases came to Mr. 
Bicknell's notice through the deserted wives 
applying to the Bureau of Charities for as- 
sistance." — Chicago Daily News, December, 
1902. 



CHAPTER IX 

MAKING AND MENDING 



CHAPTER IX 

MAKING AND MENDING 

In cutting out a garment, follow closely 
the directions on your pattern, except that 
you may find you do not need to leave as 
much for seams, and in this way save cloth. 
Be careful that the straight way of the goods 
corresponds with the straight edge of your 
pattern. Take thought when there is a right 
or wrong side, or an up and down to the 
figure, that you do not cut two pieces for the 
same side or two sleeves for the same arm. 
Be sure to cut the lining and outside goods 
the same way of the cloth, and exactly alike, 
to insure a smooth fit. Be accurate in joining 
the seams, that they are even. When you 
sew on hooks and eyes, or make button holes 
and sew on buttons, see that they are exactly 
opposite each other. 

When sewing on buttons, sew through and 

through the button until the hole is full of 

thread, then wrap the thread around the 

button three times, put the thread through to 

147 



148 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

the wrong side and fasten well. Use linen 
thread on men's garments when possible. 

Do not pucker or gather a seam in sewing 
it, and take care to fasten your thread before 
you cut it, so that your work will not ravel. 
The fit or hang of the garment depends al- 
together on these points. Do not bite the 
thread; it injures the enamel of your teeth. 

Ruffles should be cut on the bias of the 
goods, matching the figure or stripe and 
pressing the seam on the wrong side. In 
this way it does not require as much mate- 
rial, and the ruffles look much neater. Fac- 
ings of all widths should be cut on the bias. 

If an extra finish is required for fine goods, 
a straight ruffle may be used. But finish the 
edge of the garment either with a hem or 
facing, as though no trimming were to be 
used. Now take the ruffle, which you have 
hemmed neatly, hold the cloth in the right 
hand, and with the left (dampen the fingers 
a Httle) roll the edge toward you, enough to 
hide the raw edge. Take the needle and 
sew over and over, but take longer stitches 
than for sewing two selvage edges together. 
Draw up and make the ruffle the fullness 



MAKING AND MENDING I49 

required. (A third more is a good rule to 
go by.) Next put the right side of the ruffle 
to the right side of the goods and sew over 
and over, not too deep. After the whole is 
sewed on, turn on the right side and crease 
down with the thumb and finger. 

When the sewing machine runs hard, take 
kerosene and oil it thoroughly, remove the 
needle and run it as for sewing. Then with 
a cloth wipe carefully, removing all the oil 
and dust. Next oil with the machine oil in 
the ordinary way, wiping again every part. 
Before sewing your goods, sew a few stitches 
on a strip of cloth to remove all oil that may 
have attached to the needle bar. 

When sheets begin to wear thin in the 
center, sew the two selvage edges together, 
tear down the middle, and hem the edges. 
Sheets treated in this manner will last much 
longer. Sometimes the center is worn very 
thin; in that case tear ofT the thin parts 
before hemming. These will be large enough 
for a single or three-quarter bed. Or they 
will make soft diapers for baby. 

If towels or table linen show wear, darn 
even tiny holes, with cotton floss or coarse 



150 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

thread. The cotton floss is preferable to 
linen for darning pin-poses. In all cases and 
all times, darn and mend, darn and mend. 
It saves making new. It is astonishing how 
much longer sheets, pillow-slips, towels, and 
all wearing apparel will last if a "stitch in 
time" is taken. When darning, weave the 
thread in and out as far as the thin spot ex- 
tends, keeping the stocking or garment smooth 
over the darning egg. 

In mending with a patch, especially on 
boy's trousers, the piece should be large 
enough to cover all the thin part. You un- 
derstand that the patch must be put on the 
wrong side of the garment. Do not turn 
the edge of the patch in; cross-stitch it, tak- 
ing care not to catch the stitches through to 
the right side. Then turn onto the right 
side, and if not much worn, darn down onto 
the patch and press on the wrong side. But 
should it be w^orn through badly, cut out all 
the thin part, making a square hole (clip the 
corners a little), turn the edges in neatly, and 
hem all along, taking pains to have the cor- 
ners square. (The square hole makes a 



MAKING AND MENDING I5I 

much neater piece of work than the round.) 
Then press on the wrong side. 

Bear in mind this — that darns and patches 
should ahvays be pressed. Try it, and I am 
sure you will agree with me. You will see 
that ofttimes the mending is scarcely notice- 
able. I often question why some women 
object to mending. Surely it is no disgrace. 
Another fact which we have observed, the 
strangeness of it, too — that people of small 
means are often more prone to be careless 
over small things than those with plenty of 
money. 

In pressing seams on new goods, or old 
for that matter, press on the zvrong side. If 
that cannot be done, lay a cloth on the goods 
before putting the iron on, and look to it 
that the iron is not too' hot. 

Never throw anything in the rag barrel 
that can be mended or made over for some 
one. There are so many worthy, needy ones 
all around us, surely you can find some per- 
son to use what you cannot. Old thin night- 
gowns and men's night-shirts should be 
mended, and for hot weather are much more 
comfortable than new ones. 



152 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

When children wear the knees of stockings 
badly, put a piece of cloth, the color of 
the stocking, underneath, and darn down 
on that. If you buy good stockings 
for yourself, the legs can be made over 
for one of the children, and they wear and 
look as well as new. You can buy patterns 
for making over stockings. Some tired 
mother may say, 'Those who have less to 
do than I might do such things." I sympa- 
thize with these weary mothers. There is 
rarely ever a mother to be found so tired or 
discouraged that upon seeing the bright and 
happy faces of the little ones as they come in 
from play, will not take heart and with re- 
newed energy do her best. That is all to 
be expected of any human being — to do our 
best. ''She hath done what she could." 

Old carpets that have passed their useful- 
ness as such, both Brussels and ingrain, make 
nice rugs. Do not, however, put the two 
kinds together. These jugs may be used in 
the bathroom, hall, or any place where a rug 
is needed. Many people of large means use 
their old carpets in this way. I am aware 
that all women are not gifted with the same 



MAKING AND MENDING 1 53 

talents, to the same degree, to any greater 
extent than are men, one to another. But 
all have common sense and pride, and with 
the cook books to help in the kitchen, the 
woman's magazines and papers, and with an 
"I will," there are very few women in any 
station in life who cannot have a neat, happy 
home. Make it a study to do the best you 
can for yourself and your family with the 
means your husband can bring you. 

We think it talent not well spent for a 
w^oman and her family to be richly or over 
dressed, and at the same time the home lack 
comforts. As Samantha Allen says, *'Be 
mejum." Let every member do his or her 
part, economize, speak kindly, act gently, and 
the family affairs will run as smoothly as a 
piece of well-oiled machinery. 

Watch the bottoms of your dresses, that 
they are not muddy and ragged. Brush 
them after being out in the dust; your coats 
and hats also. Keep the finger-ends of your 
kid gloves mended. When you take off your 
gloves, blow in them, then smooth the fingers 
out and lay them carefully in your box or 
drawer. Take off good material from un- 



154 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

used hats, to be used again for yourself or 
some less fortunate friend. Clean your rub- 
bers soon after coming in, in order to have 
them ready for another journey. Wet um- 
brellas should be set on the handle to drain. 
If stood on the other end, the iron ribs soon 
rust and the silk or cloth will rot and tear 
out. 

In the latter part of winter, before time for 
house-cleaning, is a good time to make over 
old garments and make new ones. The sew- 
ing will then be out of the way and your 
nerves will be in better shape for the extra 
Vv'ork. 

Velvet may be made to look like new by 
holding the wrong side against the escaping 
steam from the spout of a teakettle, and 
drawing it along. 

Black lace, dip in strong cofTee, let get 
nearly dry, and lay the right side next the 
soft ironing-board, then lay a cloth over and 
press. Before perfectly dry, gently straighten 
and pull out the points and scallops. 

Any black goods to be made over may be 
sponged (a piece of black lining is good for 
sponging) on the right side with strong cof- 



MAKING AND MENDING 155 

fee. Press on the wrong side and straight 
way of the goods. 

ChalHe dress goods is excellent and washes 
beautifully. Wash in soft water just 
warm; do not rub soap directly on the cloth. 
Use a mild soap, and rinse well. Hang in 
the shade, and before quite dry press on the 
wrong side and with the length of the goods. 

When washing ribbon, let get dry before 
ironing. Then it will be soft. But if ironed 
while wet, it will be stiff. 



CHAPTER X 

BUYING FURNITURE AND CLOTHING 



CHAPTER X 
BUYING FURNITURE AND CLOTHING 

In buying furniture get the best you can 
afford, but not an expensive piece to the 
deprivation of another you need equally as 
much. Let your whole interior correspond 
as nearly as possible. Avoid gaudy, bright 
colors. 

Neutral tints are best; that is, those which 
blend with each other. When all is arranged, 
though not one article may be expensive, 
there will be an air of refinement about your 
home. 

If you own a piano, close it at night, but 
leave it open through the day to prevent the 
keys from turning yellow. 

Buy but little upholstered furniture. Should 
you wish a piece or two, get a material and 
filling moth-proof, and that will not fade. If 
you wish leather, get the genuine. Imitation 
leather is not economy. For some purposes, 
a couch for instance, French cretonne (sub- 
dued colors) looks fine and wears extren^ely 
159 



l6o ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

well. Utilize everything you have in the 
house. That is, make over or send to the 
repair shop. To illustrate: A set of cane- 
seated black-walnut dining chairs became 
bottomless. What shall be done with them? 
Send them to the attic? No; figure the cost 
of real leather bottoms or having them re- 
caned. 

Result: The leather was chosen, and they 
have been in use fifteen years and still show 
no signs of wear. If you cannot afiford the 
leather, have new bottoms of some kind 
rather than buy new chairs. Be on your 
guard that there are no extravagant expendi- 
tures in other ways. You may have been 
injudicious in the purchase of some article, 
or even been deceived. Then profit by past 
experience. I think all of us are troubled 
with the same failure, only in a greater or less 
degree — we do not profit by our mistakes as 
we should. But make an effort, and in a 
short time you will be able to buy just the 
things needed and at the time you need them. 

There is nothing gained in following the 
''sales" as we know them. I do not mean to 
say there is never an opportunity to get a 



BUYING FURNITURE AND CLOTHING l6l 

genuine bargain. Many times there is, pro- 
vided you go to a reliable house at the proper 
time; goods may be purchased at low prices 
that will be just what you need. Do not, 
however, buy an article just because it is 
cheap. 

Study the needs of each individual member 
of your family, and each room in the house, 
and buy accordingly. Select a good article 
or a good piece of cloth. All-wool goods 
are cheaper in the long run than part cotton. 
It will cost a trifle more at the time of pur- 
chase, but the color will not fade, and the 
cloth has a ''body" which will hold the 
garment in shape. 

In buying sheeting, get the double width 
if possible. However, the single width, by 
overhanding the edges together, will answer 
very well. Unbleached cotton makes excel- 
lent wearing sheets and will soon bleach with 
washing. Make them amply large. Two 
and three-fourths yards in length is none too 
much. The hem should be about one and 
one-half inches wide, and both ends the same 
width. In this way either end of the sheet 
may be used for the head of the bed. The 



l62 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

sheets wear better — economy again. Try 
the plan of buying a pair of sheets and a pair 
of pillow-slips each spring and fall, or once a 
year. You will keep your stock replenished 
and not feel the expense nor miss the time 
it takes to make them. 

The cotton for pillow-slips should be wide 
enough so they may be made lengthwise of 
the goods. They wear much better and iron 
nicer. 

Linen huckaback (not too fine) and Turk- 
ish toweling make the best for the bath. 
For the table get pure linen always when the 
mxoney can be spared. Double damask pays 
well for its w^earing qualities. A bargain is 
often found in short lengths. Napkins may 
also be found at a bargain, although the pat- 
tern may not match the tablecloth. Never 
mind that; they will look well and answer 
the same purpose. 

In buying stockings, do not expect to get 
a gfood reliable fast black for less than from 
twenty-five to seventy-five cents a pair. Be 
sure the foot is plenty long, for a short stock- 
ing is fully as injurious as a short shoe. I 
have known short stockings to cause bunions 



BUYING FURNITURE AND CLOTHING 163 

or enlargement of the big-toe joint. To get 
the exact length of the foot, measure around 
the closed hand over the knuckles — a sure 
guide for the purchase of socks or stockings 
for any member of the family. 

Small children and boys who are on their 
nees a great deal ought to have the double- 
kneed stockings. They will cost probably 
seventy-five cents, but it will pay you in their 
lasting qualities. I have seen knee-caps, 
made of leather, to buckle on when the chil- 
dren are playing on the floor. 

Honeycomb spreads are better for every- 
day use than Marseilles, for the reason they 
are less expensive and wash much easier. 

Comfortables made at home are much 
better and endure the wear and tear longer 
than boughten ones, for the reason you can 
buy better material (some dark color is best) 
and the cotton can be distributed more even- 
ly and you can tie them closely. The last 
item is very important, for that will keep the 
cotton in place. A few neighbors might own 
together a pair of quilting frames and help 
each other tie their comfortables. 

If thought is taken to use a spread, which 



164 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

gives a bed a neater look and can be washed 
as often as need be, quilts and comfortables 
should not require washing oftener than once 
in four or five years. 

Every spring and fall take all your bed- 
ding, blankets, quilts, and comfortables out 
into the open air. Then take a small whisk- 
broom and give the mattresses a good sweep- 
ing along the edges and where they are 
knotted together. If possible, take them 
outdoors, or put them before an open window 
so that the sun will shine on them for several 
hours. This process will keep them clean 
and sweet for years. 

In buying shoes, pay a good fair price, 
which insures a leather that looks well until 
worn out. For boys a good plan I have 
found is to get a leather that will wear an- 
other half-sole. Unless a child grows very 
rapidly, it, as well as its parents, ought to 
have two pairs of shoes. Economy is our 
plea. When the every-day pair is gone, take 
the best for common, and get another pair 
for best. Have the shoe longer than the 
foot, but be sure it fits snugly around the 
ankle. When buttons lose off, put more on, 



BUYING FURNITURE AND CLOTHING 165 

as a slipshod shoe is very untidy and injures 
the foot. 

VaseUne is excellent for shoes or any 
leather. When shoes dry hard and stiff after 
being wet, rub vaseline well into the leather. 
It will make them soft. I had the unfortu- 
nate experience of having a five-dollar pair 
of shoes ruined (at least the beauty) and by 
the very merchant of whom they were pur- 
chased, by putting on what was supposed to 
be one of the best articles on the market. I 
read of the vaseline being good for leather, 
and since then I never use anything else. 
Rub a little in well and wipe off with a paper 
or cloth. The leather looks dull at first, but 
in a few hours it takes on brightness, and for 
ladies' and children's shoes I would use no 
other polish. 

My advice is, never run a dry goods credit 
bill. It is surprising how quickly the sum 
mounts up, and to be in debt causes an un- 
comfortable feeling. 

Quite frequently it happens that a woman 
has some repairs about the home to attend 
to, other than the actual household affairs. 
Unless it is a very small piece of work to be 



1 66 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

done, I advise you to see several workmen. 
Or if you have a certain man whom you em- 
ploy, in either case let him make an estimate 
of the cost of the work to be done. This is 
more business-like and you will more often 
save money than by the other method of 
never knowing the cost until the work is 
completed. 



CHAPTER XI 

ENTERTAINING AND AMUSEMENTS 



CHAPTER XI 

ENTERTAINING AND AMUSEMENTS 

When the income is moderate and the 
family is composed of many members, "en- 
tertaining" as the books on '^social functions" 
dictate should be entirely out of the question. 
Be cautious from whom you receive favors, 
lest you feel obliged to return that which 
you can illy afford. Good manners and 
politeness in men and women never go out 
of fashion. But there are fashions or fads 
in entertaining which change so often that it 
is hardly worth while for us even to know, 
much less to follow. 

In a quiet way we should have our friends, 
well chosen; to meet them in our home and 
at our table. We should give them a warm 
welcome and a cordial shake of the hand, 
pressing them to accept the best we can 
afford to give, not vying with them or any 
other friend to outdo them. Beyond this it 
is unwise and foolish to go. 

If economy is practiced in the whole house- 
i6o 



I/O ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

hold regimen, there will be a Httle to spare 
for church and amusements. Not only 
should we pay for these at times, but there 
are many free lectures and entertainments of 
which we should avail ourselves. Take the 
children with you when they are old enough 
to understand, and perhaps once in a great 
while, go to see a ''Booth" or a ''Barrett." Go 
seldom, but to see the best when you go. 

We should go not simply to be amused, 
but to be educated as well. Life is a school, 
and we should look well to the choice of our 
teachers, as well for ourselves as our children. 
We are being trained as well as they, not only 
for the present, but for the great Eternal 
Future. A solemn and responsible duty! 

I believe no woman who can read should 
be so engrossed in care of any kind, or 
pleasure, that her own culture is neglected. 
She should read at least ten minutes some 
time during the day or evening, and as much 
more as possible. When my children were 
small and seemed to absord all my waking 
time, I found delight in reading a paper or 
book during the intervals of work when baby 
needed attention and I must sit a while to 



ENTERTAINING AND AMUSEMENTS I7I 

nurse or rock him. Some may say they 
never rock baby. Well, if you have the God- 
given pleasure of nursing your infant, you 
will find time then to read, and, according to 
scientific research, your child will receive a 
benefit as well as yourself. 

Have you not noticed that the habit will 
grow upon young and old alike, if not guard- 
ed against, ''that the more we go, the more 
we want to go?" It is my belief, caused 
from observation, much as it is to be de- 
plored, that the American people are losing 
their rest day. As an American citizen I 
believe the people of this nation will lose, in 
the long run, by turning the holy day into a 
hoHday. Each generation seems to be get- 
ting more restless, and longing to know what 
to do next, where to go next. To my mind, 
all those who have homes should enjoy the 
restful peace which the day would give if 
rightfully used. 

When the income is small, the mother of 
a growing family can hardly afford to belong 
to a "club." The time and money should 
not be spared. There may be cases, no 
doubt, in which she could consistently be- 



172 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

long, and it would be both instructive and a 
recreation to her. But church societies are, 
for the most part, all for which a mother can 
spare time and strength. She should not 
neglect her family or overtax herself, or go 
beyond her means, even for her church club. 
Her obligations do not require it. 

I am in favor of clubs for all those who 
have the time and money to spare. They 
are doing a noble work. But at the same 
time you and I know of cases in which the 
mother is so infatuated with her club work 
that her family is neglected. Many, if not 
the greater portion, of the benefactors of the 
known clubs are women who have passed 
beyond the age of actual home cares. 

A large number are wives or daughters of 
wealthy husbands or fathers. To those I say 
God-speed. But to the mothers of little 
children — there lies your first duty. Your 
contract is with them. I am not here refer- 
ring to the progressive euchre parties, or 
"clubs" as they are wont to style themselves. 

No, for these "clubs" lay themselves liable 
to the law, and I am sure those to whom 
these pages are addressed would not be guilty 



ENTERTAINING AND AMUSEMENTS I73 

of furnishing their homes with these ill- 
gotten prizes. 

''Chicago, February 15. 

''Editor The Tribune. — I never enjoyed 
anything more than I did the article in this 
morning's paper entitled 'Autobiography of 
an Unknown.' Splendid 'food for thought' 
for the young couples who think of nothing 
but spending all their earnings, who spend 
the month's earnings long before the month 
is up, and oftentimes borrow to meet the 
current bills, simply to keep up with 'society.' 
And what does it amount to in the end? 
Heart-breaks and broken health, not to men- 
tion trouble. 

"Club life is the ruination of a great many, 
added to trying to keep up with more for- 
tunate neighbors, envy and laziness being a 
great factor among the women. A great 
many have said to me, 'You only live once,' 
and 'Don't save it for his second wife,' never 
looking ahead for 'rainy days.' 

"I only hope this article will reach the eyes 
of many young couples who are living for the 
present only. A Young Mother." 



174 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

Oh, for a reform in the decollete dress — 
or the undress! ''Is dress material so scarce, 
then, or must all the money go to the modiste 
for her skill, and madam run shy of covering 
at critical points in consequence?" — Chicago 
Inter Ocean. 

Oh, for shame, woman! 

Do men admire such costumes? Nay. 
I'll venture to predict, could a vote be taken 
(at their home) not on their own wives, 
daughters, or sisters. If I were a prominent 
club woman, the decollete dress reform 
should be one feature of extended work until 
it was so complete that to appear in such a 
costume would mean ostracism to the wearer. 

Among games of my childhood, and one 
that should take its place in these modern 
times, is grace hoops. It is a game not only 
exhilarating to the mind, but is a muscle 
developer. If you wish physical exercise for 
yourself or your young people or the chil- 
dren, try grace hoops. To straighten round 
shoulders, or strengthen a weak back, this 
game is most beneficial. A player soon ac- 
quires grace and agility in every movement. 

The game requires two hoops and four 



ENTERTAINING AND AMUSEMENTS 1 75 

Sticks (made gradually smaller at one end), 
although an expert player may be able to 
handle two hoops. I remember well how we 
used to vie with one another to see who 
would own the prettiest hoops. They are 
made smooth, then wound with ribbon or any 
soft material. 

The game: Before beginning, decide upon 
some number to be attained. Two or more 
persons may play (if they are well in prac- 
tice), each owning one hoop and two sticks. 
With beginners only two should play. Stand 
a reasonable distance apart, take the hoop 
upon the end of the crossed sticks (the small 
end); each tosses her hoop and at the same 
time looks up to catch the flying hoop. To 
catch the hoop scores two points; but if it 
falls to the ground, takes off three. The 
player who catches the hoop the larger num- 
ber of times wins the game. If one can toss 
the hoop so accurately that it flies over the 
head of her opponent without having touched 
the sticks or her head, wins the game, no 
matter what the score of either may be. 

Grace hoops is not so simple a game as 
one might imagine. One advantage, too, is 



176 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

that it requires no especial costume. Only 
allow the arms and waist full freedom. If 
you feel languid and stupid or the children 
are tired and fretful, call for grace hoops. 



CHAPTER XII 

OUR CHILDREN 



CHAPTER XII 

OUR CHILDREN 

The subject of children is inexhaustible. 
But as they are a commodity which help to 
make up the economic necessities of our 
households, this little volume would be in- 
complete were the Httle creatures overlooked. 
It is not my purpose to define the height, 
depth, and expansion of an endless subject. 
I shall try but to point out a few duties as I 
see them in relation to our children in the 
economic line of time, strength, and money. 
This I can truthfully say of my own experi- 
ence — the care and rearing of children is a 
task and pleasure not Hghtly to be assumed. 

When they come to us, tiny, weak, and 
entirely dependent upon us for food, raiment, 
and training (the most helpless of God's 
creatures), wx have a responsibility which 
needs the grace of God in our hearts to carry 
on properly. 

Parents should make a study of their chil- 
dren, mothers more especially, as regards the 
179 



l8o ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

food they eat. For does it not depend 
largely upon that taken into the stomach 
what degree of health they enjoy — and in 
turn what kind of bodies they acquire when 
men and women? 

Tea, coffee, and beer are not suitable Hq- 
uids upon which to build tissue. Pure milk, 
as a liquid food, will make a strong, healthy 
boy or girl. Give them plenty of ripe fruit, 
but little pastry (none at all were better) and 
less candy, is my advice. 

After children are old enough to eat a 
hearty meal, it is better not to allow piecing 
betw^een meals. They will soon learn to wait, 
and the digestive organs are the better for 
the rest. Good judgment must be used, how- 
ever; it might be best to allow them a little. 
But you and I have known children to eat at 
all times, and eat anything and everything 
for which they took a notion. It is not doing 
them a kindness to permit it. If they must 
eat, a piece of bread and jam or butter or an 
apple, either baked or raw, according to age, 
is better than pie or cake. 

At the table they should sit quietly until 
they can be waited upon. Begin with the 



OUR CHILDREN l8l 

first one and early, then the next in order, 
and they will not reach across the table to 
help themselves, nor be rude and noisy. Why 
should they be allowed to act unruly? 
They should learn table-manners very young. 
If the parents cannot subdue them ''more's 
the pity." Teach them to use the fork in- 
stead of the knife to convey food to their 
mouths, and to be careful about spilling their 
food onto the napkin. It will take a little 
time and patience, but they will learn in a 
short time. 

Children should be neatly but plainly 
dressed. Too many tucks and ruffles take 
time to make, and strength to wash and iron. 
The child is no better for being overdressed, 
and if she is, vanity is often the result. Some 
of our richest people are the most plainly 
dressed. It is my opinion that children 
should be allowed to play on the street but 
very little. It is a dangerous school. They 
should have a few well-chosen playmates; but 
care should be taken not to allow these to 
play together too long at one time. 

If you have a shed or barn, allow them to 
play there at any innocent games — trapeze. 



1 82 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

Stilts, a swing, etc. Give them a work-bench, 
with saw, hammer, nails, and a jack-knife. It 
is more economical to buy these few indi- 
vidual tools than to get a child's set. Gen- 
erally these sets are inferior material, and 
more articles than an ordinary boy will use. 
Let him build boxes, boats, kites, anything 
his fancy dictates. It will surprise you some 
day when you visit his work-shop to see how 
straight he can saw a board in two, how true 
he can drive a nail. In a few years he will 
be quite useful in and around the house. The 
exercise develops the boy's muscles and in- 
genuity and fills his time pleasantly. 

When he becomes a good-sized lad, teach 
him, if he begins a box, or whatever he de- 
signs to build, to finish it to the best of his 
ability before commencing another article. 
The reason is obvious. Teach him to gather 
up his tools, putting them in their box, where 
they will keep dry, and be ready for another 
day's pleasure. Teach him also to sweep 
together the chips and shavings. This can 
be brought into the house, put into the wood 
or coal box for kindling the fire. 

Let the girls learn to use the hammer and 



OUR CHILDREN I83 

nails. I have found it very convenient in 
these long years of experience to be able to 
handle the saw and hammer and not pound 
the fingers. Yes, I do not wonder you laugh, 
for most women hammer their fingers more 
than the nail. For that reason, I say, let the 
girls learn to handle the hammer. 

While your children are little mites, don't 
wait "till they are older," as we have heard 
mothers say; but begin early to teach them 
to pick up and put away their own play- 
things. Assign to them a place to call their 
own, a room in which to play, if it can be 
spared. To those who have never tried the 
experiment, you can scarcely realize how 
young these dear little girls and boys will 
learn to pick up their things and wait upon 
themselves. Have patience, mothers. The 
satisfaction of having a tidy room when it is 
time to get dinner, with no confusion about, 
is worth to the tired mother all the trouble 
she has taken to teach her little ones order. 

Bear this in mind — the mother must prac- 
tice that which she would teach, if she wishes 
to instill in her offspring the early traits of 
neatness. Be honest and true, and do not 



184 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

deceive your children. They are great imi- 
tators, and when you least expect they have 
followed your example. Should you tell 
them a falsehood, they know it just as well 
as you. Do not tell them you will whip if 
they do so and so unless you have thought 
the matter over, and are sure a whipping is 
the only punishment that will fit the case. 
If you say you will whip them, then keep 
your word. I am quite of the opinion that 
whipping should be resorted to rarely. Send- 
ing to bed for hours when they "do want to 
go somewhere so bad," or withholding some 
gift or pleasure, does not inflict bodily pain, 
but the child will not soon forget it. Unless 
your child is an uncommon one he or she will 
grow up to be honest, if not deceived by 
older people. 

Decide upon some place where the chil- 
dren may hang their hats, caps, and coats, 
and insist that they always hang them in 
their place. Do not, "just this time," allow 
them to throw their wraps on the floor or 
chairs. I wish to emphasize the above sen- 
tence, for the orderly habit is as easily formed 
as the disorderly, and it saves so much con- 



OUR CHILDREN 185 

fusion and work. Teaching these girls and 
boys to wait upon themselves and take care 
of their clothing is not nearly as trying on 
the mother as stooping to pick up after them. 
Then again, it will make self-reliant men and 
women of these same boys and girls. As 
early as possible, give each child a separate 
room, allowing them to decorate it to suit 
their ov;n inclinations. I advocate separate 
beds for each individual member of an house- 
hold, provided the means will warrant. It is 
more healthful and satisfactory in many ways. 
Young children should not sleep with old 
people. 

There should be a closet or wardrobe off 
each sleeping room. If these are not to be 
had, then a row of hooks might be used, cov- 
ering with a curtain, to keep the clothing free 
from dust. A set of drawers in each bed- 
room, or even a trunk or a box covered 
neatly, and with hinges on the lid, will answer 
very well to hold underwear, skirts, collars, 
cufifs, neckties, etc. 

A nice and useful birthday or Chfistmas 
gift for a man or boy is a combination collar 
and cufif box. They will appreciate such a 



l86 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

present. Insist upon each member hanging 
up and putting away every garment he takes 
off or uses. When taking off clothing, hang 
it up immediately instead of laying it down, 
then at another time picking it up, handling 
it twice, when once would suffice, is using up 
extra time and strength. Even does one 
keep a maid, each member of the household 
should be taught to wait upon himself. 

Let your children sleep in the morning as 
long as you know it is right to allow, then 
when they are called insist upon their rising 
and dressing immediately, and be ready for 
breakfast at the last call for it. The lagging 
in the morning of different members is a 
source of great annoyance, both to mother 
and maid, if there be one. The morning hours 
are the best in which to do any work. Again 
I say, habit will do so much for these boys and 
girls, that when they grow to be young men 
and women there will seldom be the need 
of chiding them on the point of early rising. 
Generally the family should retire early, espe- 
cially the children. Oh, for the curfew bell! 

The early night hours are the best for 



OUR CHILDREN 1 87 

building up waste tissue and putting paint in 
the cheeks. 

Every child should be given its own towel, 
toothbrush, comb and brush and a certain 
place to keep them, and they should not be 
molested or removed from their place. Chil- 
dren will learn very young to clean their 
teeth. Give the toothbrush to the child be- 
fore it can really clean the teeth. By the 
time it can clean them properly it has learned 
its use and how to handle it. We are too 
apt to neglect young children's teeth. It is 
economy to watch and put them into the 
dentist's care early if necessary. Children 
will learn to take pride in their teeth as well 
as their hair and clothing. 

A good tooth powder: Two ounces of 
powdered chalk, one ounce of orris root. Mix 
well. 

Salt is a good dentrifice. It hardens the 
gums and prevents the forming of tartar, the 
bane of good teeth. 

Frequently the second tooth will present 
itself before the first tooth is out or even 
loose. When I was a child an upper second 
tooth suddenly protruded itself and in alarm 



155 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

I showed my father the offender. In less time 
than it takes to tell it he had the first tooth 
out. He then instructed me how to press 
down on the tooth and in a few weeks it 
was in its place and as straight as the others. 
You may be sure that if the first teeth must 
be pulled to make room for the second ones 
the last teeth will be good teeth and if prop- 
erly cared for will last one's life-time. 

My experience is that the best time to 
bathe small children during the cold months 
is in the afternoon and not directly after a 
meal. Dress them and let them have a frolic 
in the house. Do not allow them to go out 
in the cold air after a bath. Some mothers 
bathe their children and put them directly to 
bed. I have found that they take cold more 
readily when this is done, for the reason that 
the blood does not circulate freely after a 
bath, unless they exercise well before lying 
quietly in bed. Children old enough to bathe 
themselves are exercising during the bathing 
process, hence are not liable to feel the 
change. 

Adults, in fact, if not strong and robust, 
might heed this advice with profit. 



OUR CHILDREN 1 89 

Should a fly or an insect of any kind get 
into the ear, pour a teaspoonful of warm sweet 
milk into it and the fly will come out. 

If the little ones are ill do not show signs 
of worry and anxiety in their presence. It 
but aggravates the situation. A mother may 
ward off nervousness on her own part by ex- 
ercising zvill pozvcr. In your own case as also 
the children's laugh oft* the notion that every 
little ache or pain means something serious. 
Many times imagination makes "mountains 
out of mole-hills." At the same time, unob- 
served, watch the symptoms complained of 
and talk as little of sickness before them as 
possible. Oftentimes some simple remedy is 
all that is needed. 

If a mustard poultice is needed in a hurry 
wet the mustard with the white of an ^gg. 
It will not bhster. The small, ready-pre- 
pared mustard leaves are very convenient to 
keep in the house. They can be found at any 
drug store. 

The ear is a very sensitive organ and must 
be treated carefully. I will give a little expe- 
rience of my ovm in the hope that it may be 
the means of relieving others who may be 



IQO ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

like afflicted. It may save the expense of a 
doctor. I am well aware that people of lim- 
ited means cannot call a physician for every 
ache or pain. One morning I awoke, and, to 
my surprise, could not hear distinctly. I 
rubbed the ear, thinking to give relief in that 
way. But it did not. The day passed and 
still I could not hear. I said nothing to the 
family, but was myself beginning to feel 
alarmed. Several days passed with no relief. 
I put my little finger into the ear and shook 
it as we sometimes do when there is a tick- 
ling sensation. The end of the finger was 
quite moist. Still I could not hear, and be- 
gan to think I should be obliged to see a 
doctor. The ringing in my ear was annoying. 
I tried probing by inserting the round end of 
a long slender hairpin, very gently of course. 
After working carefully for about an hour I 
extracted a piece of earwax as large as a small 
bean. Of course reUef came instantly. What 
caused the accumulation is left for ear spe- 
cialists to tell. 

If troubled with chilblains take the skin 
off leaf-lard and bind around the toes and 



OUR CHILDREN IQI 

heels. Wear it day and night for a while, 
then only during the day. 

Boys should have a shoe-blacking outfit 
and be expected to keep their shoes in order. 
Get the boys as well as the father slippers for 
the house, for they will not only be less noisy, 
but their price is more than saved in the wear 
of carpets and rugs. 

If you can arrange to do so give children 
certain work to do, and insist upon its being 
done at the right time unless there is a very 
good reason to excuse them. Boys can bring 
in wood, split kindUng, weed in the garden, 
go on errands and even wipe dishes. 

''If I had to choose the form in which 1 
would live again," Bismarck said, ''I am not 
so sure that I should not Hke to be an ant. 
You see," he said, ''that Httle insect lives 
under conditions of perfect political organi- 
zation. Every ant is obliged to work — to lead 
a useful life; every one is industrious. There 
is perfect subordination, discipline and order. 
They are happy, for they w^ork." — "Personal 
Reminiscences of Prince Bismarck." 

The girls should be taught to do all kinds 
of housework, and by degrees make them- 



192 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

selves generally useful. Why should they 
not? Not alone, that the father and mother 
need their help, but they should learn to be 
industrious, so as to fill well their place when 
they go out into the world. I beUeve it is 
not doing justice to the zvoman to let the girl 
play and ''have a good time," as some moth- 
ers say, until she is grown, to the neglect of 
household training. Too late, then, too late. 

BLAMES HER MOTHER 

"In a small town where household knowl- 
edge counts for something, a young minis- 
ter's wife, who had recently begun her duties 
there as her husband's assistant, is entirely 
ignorant of everything connected with do- 
mestic affairs. If the maid is ill or ofT for the 
afternoon she must take her meals out, for 
she does not know how even to make a cup 
of tea. She had never dusted a room up to 
the time she was married. Tt is all due to an 
over-energetic mother,' she says. 'My mother 
has always done everything at home, and she 
was so thoroughly capable that I have never 
been asked to do anything, and now I feel 
that I have lost something I can never re- 



OUR CHILDREN I93 

gain. I almost feel as if I could blame my 
mother for leaving me in such ignorance.' " 
— From the Chicago Daily News, October, 
1901. 

I know a little six-year-old girl, who for two 
years has helped her mamma in many ways. 
She could dust, clean any article within her 
reach and was so dainty and careful. The 
mother had a table upon which she spread 
choice souvenir cups and saucers of delicate 
china, but the little lady would wipe each 
piece and handle them as carefully as a 
woman. And the pride she takes in the task 
is pleasant to see. If children are allowed 
they can do many things to help, and they 
are proud of it. 

The better way is to keep children busy, 
either at work or play. Teach them to make 
a business of whatever they are doing. 

Mothers might have a miniature kinder- 
garten at home. For instance, when the lit- 
tle tots cut paper don't let them cut just for 
the mere sake of cutting. Show them how to 
cut straight strips, then squares and round 
pieces; or, in other words, have an object in 



194 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

view. The same when you give them tooth 
picks show them how to build something. 

If you can procure clay let them make not 
only the mud pies of every adult's childhood, 
but show them how to model a cow, a dog, or 
a doll, etc. In short, let them aim to make 
something. Keep them busy — keep the boys 
and girls busy — keep the youth and maiden 
busy, and it will come so natural that the 
man or woman will be unhappy if not busy. 
If the boys are busy (they might play ball and 
still be busy) they will have no time or in- 
clination to tease the baby or the little sister. 
I have seen brothers do this, and they thought 
it smart to domineer over the inmates at 
home. Do not tolerate this state of affairs if 
you wish them to grow up true gentle men. 

My boys used to make balls with twine by 
winding it very tight and taking leather from 
an old shoe for a cover; it made a tiptop ball. 
It occupies their time and saves their pennies. 
If a child tires of a toy or book put it out of 
sight for a few weeks or months, it will then 
be to them as good as new. 

Having Sunday playthings or books — 
something extra for that day — for the child 



OUR CHILDREN I95 

to look forward to, has been known to work 
wonders for a gloomy Sabbath. 

There is a charm in a good, generous 
blackboard. The children will while away 
hours with crayon and board, drawing pic- 
tures, writing and figuring. It is a source of 
much instruction and amusement, both for 
the little and big boys and girls. Indeed, I 
have seen the older people enjoying a leisure 
half-hour with crayon at the board. The 
blackboard is always new. In our own home 
was one, five by two feet — one solid board. 
We bought crayon by the box, which will last 
a long time, if you insist upon the children 
using the small pieces before getting a new 
one. They soon learn economy in this way 
and they will be just as happy. 

For the school children to use at home, cut 
clean, smooth wrapping paper (such as comes 
around parcels) into sheets, for them to fig- 
ure and scribble on. It saves buying tablets 
for that purpose. Buy good lead pencils by 
the dozen, dealing to each child as they need, 
not before. Because there are more in the 
house is no reason they may be w^asted. 

In buying presents for the older children 



196 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

useful things are best — books, for instance, 
provided they are good moral works. Funny 
tales and true will make a variety and change 
for them. In many cases children have too 
many toys. They ought to take care of those 
they have, and when they are actually tired 
of them give them to some child less fortu- 
nate. I recall a visit I made to an attic in 
company with the ow'ner, and there was 
scarcely room to step without treading upon 
broken toys of almost every description. And 
still her children clamored for more. The 
more they had the more they wanted. Never 
satisfied. 

Again I have seen children contented and 
happy with but few boughten toys and amuse- 
ments. Have plenty of picture books and 
reading for yourself and the little folks. 
''Babyland" and ''Little Men and Women," 
w^ere monthly visitors in our home as early 
as the boys and girl could hold a paper to look 
at pictures. Then a little later on "St. Nich- 
olas" and "Harper's Young People." Then 
came the "Youth's Companion," v/hich 
greeted both old and young for nearly twenty 
years. Our stock of reading matter was in- 



OUR CHILDREN I97 

creased as the children grew older and we 
could afford. As long as your children re- 
main at home, choose their reading for them 
— choose with care, for ''As the twig is bent 
so the tree inclines." Remember, your chil- 
dren are now building character. See to it 
while you may, that the material is the best 
you can furnish. It will be a comfort to you 
as they go from you into the world, that you 
have done for them the best you knew. 

As you gather around the evening light al- 
low one of the children to read aloud. In an 
incredibly short time you will notice an im- 
provement in the tone of voice, pronuncia- 
tion, etc. 

I well remember in my father's home just 
at the opening of the Civil War. Every even- 
ing our father expected one of us to read the 
daily paper, while he rested and the other 
members of the family were busy in various 
w^ays. In this way we became better readers, 
and, although we did not understand some 
things we read, yet we feel we knew more of 
the doings of those times than we could had 
we been allowed to fill up our time at our 
own ''sweet will." Habits formed at this age 



198 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

are usually lasting. So it behooves a parent 
to sow the seed carefully. Boys and girls 
wisely trained from babyhood will have no 
''wild oats to sow." 

In their own home is the place for children 
of tender age when night comes on. Take 
double care of your boys and girls at the age 
of from twelve to sixteen years. A case came 
under my own observation. A lad about fifteen 
came to his mother (the father was from home 
at the time), saying: 'T want to go out with 
the boys to-night." ''Where do you wish to 
go, my son?" the mother asked. '*Oh, they 
go to the depot and around town," was his 
leply. ''Whose boys are they?" again in- 
quired the anxious mother. "Mr. B. and Mr. 
D.'s boys." "Why do they go to the depot? 
Do any of them expect friends?" was the 
mother's next question. "Oh, no, they just 
go to have a good time," was the son's an- 
swer. "My son, I cannot allow you to go for 
any such purpose," was the mother's reply. 
A little out of patience the boy said: "I don't 
see why I can't go out after dark; the other 
boys do." The mother had this to say: "You 
may 'go out after dark' if you have an object 



OUR CHILDREN I99 

or purpose other than just to 'have a good 
time with the boys.' " It may seem a Uttle 
hard at the time; but, my dear mothers and 
fathers, be firm when you know you are in 
the right and it is lor your child's future good. 
Many a boy at that age has been ruined by 
''going out" with the boys to have a good 
time. That boy is now a prosperous business 
man in one of our large cities, and a domestic 
man. 

My advice is, choose as far as is possible 
your boy's companions. This calls to my 
mind an incident which took place in an 
excellent family that I knew very well, 
and shows how unwarranted and easily par- 
ents may be deceived. The son, a youth 
about sixteen years of age, seemed to enjoy the 
company of a bad boy. The father, out of 
the charity which possessed his soul, thought 
his own boy would have an influence for good 
over the bad boy and allowed his son consid- 
erable liberty. In not so very long a time the 
good boy was missing one morning. To the 
consternation of the indulgent father, the 
fact became known that the son and the bad 
boy, with others, had been into mischief of a 



200 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

grave nature. Whisky was the foreign ele- 
ment which entered into their *'good time." 

Upon investigation it v/as found that the 
good boy had not only been away that night, 
but had slipped out quietly after the family 
were in bed, a number of times before. The 
father's conclusion was, as many parents have 
found to their sorrow, strange as it may seem, 
that frequently evil is stronger than good. 
Drastic measures were used just in time, and 
the good boy was saved. He is now a grown 
man, honorable and true. The bad boy? Bad 
still. 

Teach the boys to sew on their own but- 
tons. "Oh, I can never be bothered," I hear 
you say. In answer, I say, try it, please. 
That very boy may some time be placed in an 
awkward position, when he will thank his 
mother for teaching him how to handle a 
needle. Then, again, that little knowledge 
may save you, when you ''do not see how you 
can spare the time" to even sew on a button. 
I could point to a family of several boys and 
the father who never think of asking the wife 
or mother to sew on their buttons (and from 
no mercenary motive), although the mother 



OUR CHILDREN 20I 

frequently does it, yet she is not obliged to do 
so. Some of those boys are married and have 
carried that useful art into their own homes. 
Does it make them effeminate? Not in the 
least. But rather makes them more thought- 
ful for their wives, mothers and sisters. 

On the other hand, a contrast to this is not 
rare. An only son, brought up by his mother 
to be as any one might suppose a model man. 
True, while he was gentlemanly to a degree 
and polite to a fault, when in society, at home 
he simply would not wait upon himself. No, 
not only would he not gather his own scat- 
terings — papers, etc. — but he seemed to de- 
light in strewing things about for others to 
pick up. It appears to me that the early train- 
ing had much to do with the later life. So, 
be on your guard, mothers, that while you 
teach these dear ones to help each other, be 
obliging and gentle one with another, you 
also teach them not to impose upon you or the 
other inmates at home. Wives and husbands 
should not impose upon one another. 

Take notice with me, if you will, among 
your neighbors and friends, that a domestic 
man is as free from bad habits and vices as a 



202 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

domestic woman. Mothers, you can make 
domestic men of most of your sons. But, at 
the same time, you must not fail to make 
domestic women of your daughters. Girls 
should be expected to take upon themselves 
a portion of the daily household duties with- 
out begrudging the time spent. 

Is it not her home until she gets one of 
her own, and should she not be interested in 
everything belonging to it? I will admit that 
the mother is largely to blame if the daugh- 
ters are not more interested in home than 
they are in the golf links or the tennis court, 
etc. There is Hable to be a weakness on 
the mother's part, who has been obliged, per- 
haps, to toil and economize, to cherish the 
notion that she must make it ''easy for her 
daughter." In so many instances they are in- 
dulged in dress, in freedom of actions, in 
keeping late hours and in going and coming 
as they please. 

The mother denies herself and sacrifices in 
every way that the daughters may ''have a 
good time." The result is often proven that 
the "good time" in youth is a detriment to 
the woman. The time comes when s"he in 



OUR CHILDREN 203 

turn becomes a wife and mother in name; 
many times not in the true sense of the word. 
Frequently making an unhappy and miser- 
able home for somebody's son. 

Of the two, I believe that the rearing and 
training of daughters is of more importance, 
if possible, than the sons. Neither should be 
neglected. But I know, and you have ob- 
served, that many wives have and can al- 
most alter the early training of a husband. 
There are cases, of course, in which it cannot 
be done. With this thought in mind, I wish 
to impress upon mothers and fathers (more 
especially mothers) the great necessity of 
educating our daughters for wifehood and 
motherhood. 

If possible (I know it is hard to do so in 
these times of mad rush for pleasure and ease) 
impress upon their minds that housework is 
the best gymnasium they could enter. There 
are different kinds of work about the house 
that embraces the whole grand ''Delsarte" 
movements. And while it is not pleasant to 
have too much of it, I yet agree with the late 
O. S. Fowler, phrenologist and physiologist, 
that ''the different kinds of housework de- 



204 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

velop every muscle in the body." We can- 
not but believe that if mistresses would take 
a certain amount of work upon themselves 
each day, even changing work with the maid, 
they would have better health, be happier 
and find less to complain of in the hired help. 

In a family of several daughters it is their 
custom to change work, one doing one part 
one week, another another part and so on. 
Thereby, not only turning off the work which 
must be done, but getting the different exer- 
cise each one needs and at the same time 
learning to do all kinds of housework. If 
we do not make hard work of it or overdo 
housework is pleasant. 

It is my opinion that the servant-girl prob- 
lem will be solved, not until the women of 
well-to-do families are wilHng to return to a 
less extravagant way of living and devote 
less time to recreation and society. It is not 
an uncommon occurrence to see women and 
girls more fatigued after a season of recrea- 
tion than they would be at home helping 
with the ordinary household affairs. Recrea- 
tion is all right in moderation. From obser- 
vation, I take it that there is not an average 



OUR CHILDREN 2O5 

of more than one man in fifty (in society) but 
would much rather be hidden in Yellowstone 
Park* than don an evening suit to attend a 
dinner! 

For girls I should like to see the lost art 
of sewing revived. Why do I call it the lost 
art? Simply for the reason that we have so 
few good sewers among our women and girls. 
Sewing machines? Yes; you can lay the blame 
to that useful friend, the sewing machine, if 
you like. But it is my opinion that the trou- 
ble lies first in the fact that mothers ''have so 
much to do" or think they have, that they be- 
stow little or no time in teaching their girls 
how to sew. 

Little girls sew on doll's clothes; that is 
all right as far as it goes — but do they learn 
to sew in this way? I am afraid not. Their 
sewing is mostly basting. Would it not be 
wise to revive the old-fashioned bed quilt? 
What! Cut cloth, to sew together again? 
Yes, just that. If you teach your little girl 
to sew pieces together for a quilt, sewing 



*At this writing President Roosevelt is sojourning in 
Yellowstone Park. 



2o6 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

over and over, they will learn to sew better 
than any other way I know. Then, too, a 
thin quilt, with a white spread, makes all the 
covering one needs during our w^arm weather 
in the north. A quilt is easier to wash than 
a comfortable or blankets. 

But the greatest merit of the quilt is, the 
little girl will learn to sew more evenly and 
true by practicing on these blocks. And the 
encouragement is to see something grow 
under her fingers and eyes. It is also a good 
exercise for a nervous child if you can once 
get her interested. 

Girls would do w^ell to learn to buy goods, 
their own dresses, for instance. Tell them 
that figured goods is not as economical as 
plain. But if they wish figured material there 
should be no "up or down" to it, for it then 
cuts to better advantage. Two-faced goods 
or both sides alike also cuts to better advant- 
age. Both boys and girls should learn the 
value of money, not by giving them a certain 
amount of pin-money to be used as they like. 
No, for their judgment is immature. Nor 
do I believe a child should be paid in money 
for every errand or chore done. There are 



OUR CHILDREN 207 

instances, of course, when this is admissible. 

But rather allow them the responsibility of 
buying for themselves some book, some wear- 
ing apparel. Take them with you on a shop- 
ping tour, let them see and handle the goods, 
handing the money out to pay for the pur- 
chase. Let them count the change returned, 
both for their own instruction and the mer- 
chant's sake. Children will soon learn to buy 
goods and handle money with safety. 

I remember well the first time T instructed 
my son, then a lad of ten years of age, with 
money to buy a number of articles. We 
"paid as you go," so I handed him a ten dol- 
lar bill, cautioning him to count the price of 
the several goods and bring me the change. 
When he returned I watched with some curio- 
sity, but he came in with an air of self-confi- 
dence and the correct change. I never after 
that doubted his ability to manage in a small 
way, and as he advanced in years was re- 
warded by seeing him a thorough business 
man. 

A motto for the girls or young ladies is: 
Look well to your associates, both male and 
female, and be modest in manners and con- 



208 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

versation; not prudish, but real genuine, old- 
fashioned modesty, in the presence of each 
other and especially before men. 

For girls and women to cross the legs is 
not modest nor ladylike. On the other hand, 
it is an injurious habit. 

Try to instill into the minds of both boys 
and girls the importance of knowing their 
own bodies and to care for them as "im- 
mortal bodies," which to abuse in any way 
means punishment in aches and pains and re- 
grets. Throw down the barrier — false mod- 
esty. Raise the standard — Health versus 
Economy! 

A great responsibility? Yes. But you and 
I have taken it upon ourselves; shall we faint 
and shirk our duty? No! No! Then let us 
lean hard upon the stafif held out to us, and 
in our heart breath this prayer: ''Help us, 
Divine Spirit, or we fail in this life task." 

If I could live my life over, having the ex- 
perience and somewhat more knowledge than 
when young and was the mother of a baker's 
dozen (more or less) of boys, they should all 
be circumcised when infants. It is then a 
very simple operation; and even at any later 



OUR CHILDREN 2O9 

time it is attended with but little inconven- 
ience, and brings cleanliness and many other 
advantages. 

May not its absence be the indirect cause 
of a large per cent of the crimes committed? 
If you are the mother of one or more boys 
consult your physician on the subject. It 
would be economy in a broad sense. 

Children and young people should have 
their pleasures, but at the same time guide 
them and counsel with them, for they are in- 
experienced. A father once said to the writer: 
"My daughter is fifteen years old and wants to 
go to parties. I tell her she may go, but / 
shall go with her. Boys are rough and bold. 
I know what they are; they are not to be 
trusted." 

While I agreed with him that it would be 
a most fatherly and consistent act to do, yet 
I was sorry that he felt so untrustingly of 
boys in general. 

My reply was this: 'There are innocent, 
trustful, manly boys — so I have found in my 
girlhood and young womanhood days and 
later in life. But I want to ask you one ques- 
tion: 'Are all girls to be trusted?' Show me 



2IO ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

a young man and I can tell you what man- 
ner of young women are his associates." 

It is my candid opinion that boys and girls, 
or even young people, need very few parties 
to insure them a pleasurable existence. A 
few chosen friends, with whom to exchange 
social calls and visits, good books and pa- 
pers, with a few amusements, will pass their 
extra time pleasantly and profitably. In these 
days we are surfeited with pleasures and lack 
time for quiet, serious thought. 

I once heard a young woman say: ''I went 
to Miss G.'s party, and while there met and 
danced with a young man I would not dare to 
invite to my father's home." It reminded me 
of advice once given by a father to his son 
when leaving home: "My son, remember 
this: If you find yourself in questionable so- 
ciety you are not obliged to remain in it." 
So I say the same to young women or even 
older people. As soon as possible leave the 
presence of those you cannot bring face to 
face with your dearest friend. 

Pleasures cost money, and we often see 
those who spend their father's or husband's 
means with an air of 'There is plenty more 



OUR CHILDREN 211 

where that came from." That isn't right, do 
you think so, reader? 

Do not expect more of your children than 
you practice yourself. If you find in deahng 
with a child that you are in the wrong ac- 
knowledge to him that such is the case, with 
an explanation that seems advisable. Then 
tell him you expect the same of him should 
he be at fault. 

Do not allow children to cut and mar 
woodwork, be the house ever so old. It is 
not right, for two reasons. First, one has no 
right to destroy property. Second, the de- 
structive habit is easily formed in a child. 
So, beware of beginnings. 

There are people who have a habit of read- 
ing in a reclining position. Do you realize 
the danger of injury to the eye-sight ? I once 
knew a German teacher in one of our eastern 
universities who became almost blind by that 
habit. She told her physician that for years 
she had studied and read in that position. 
Try sitting with the left side to the strongest 
light. In a short time you will notice how 
much longer you can read without tiring the 
eyes. Give it a trial. 



212 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

If the eyes ache from any cause fill a tum- 
bler brimful of hot water (a few applications 
and you will be able to bear the water quite 
hot); hold over a basin; close the eye and lay 
it into the water, first one then the other, 
holding them in the water as long as you can 
have patience to do so. Five minutes is none 
too long. This will rest the eyes and strength- 
en them. Salt added to the water is bene- 
ficial. Each night rub* camphor behind the 
ears and on the temples, as this will help to 
strengthen them. 

Common salt has many uses aside from sea- 
soning food. Added to water it makes an 
excellent gargle for sore throat. Heated 
very hot and put in flannel bags and applied 
to the seat of pain answers very well in lieu of 
a rubloer water bottle. For mosquito bites 
salted water is very soothing. 

For a bee sting or a snake bite wrap* imme- 
diately in mud. Mud is an old remedy used 
by our North American Indians. 

Should your child be subject to the croup 
avoid an east wind. Croup is to be dreaded, 
hence the necessity of great care. A croupy 
cough must not be neglected. It usually lasts 



OUR CHILDREN 213 

three days and is worse at night. A good 
remedy to always keep in the house is goose 
oil. Not the grease that oozes out of the 
carcass, but the leaf-fat which lies on either 
side-back of the goose. Render the fat from 
this and strain into a clean dry bottle. Keep 
well corked. It will keep sweet for years. 

When the child coughs croupy give it 
goose oil and molasses (not syrup), equal 
parts, warmed a trifle, enough to make a scant 
tablespoonful. If a very small child a 
teaspoonful will be enough. Rub the chest 
with the oil and over that a few drops of cam- 
phor (do not mix the two together), cover- 
ing with a flannel cloth well heated. Rub the 
oil well up on the throat. If this remedy is 
resorted to on the first appearance of the 
cough it will seldom need stronger medicine. 
However, do not neglect the croup; but send 
for your doctor, if the child grows worse. 
When baby has the ''snuffles" goose oil 
rubbed over the nose will give reHef. Goose 
oil is very penetrating, hence the speedy ac- 
tion. 

Another quick remedy for the croup: Lay 
a small lump of alum on the hot stove. When 



214 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

it stops bubbling remove and with a knife 
pulverize it. Take a level half-teaspoonful of 
the powder and a teaspoonful of molasses. 
Mix well, give half of this and in one-half 
hour give the remainder. 

Spirits of camphor may be made at home 
and is cheaper than to buy it prepared. Have 
a bottle which will hold a pint or more and 
keep it for that purpose. At any reliable 
drug store get one pint of pure alcohol and 
ten cents worth of camphor gum. Put these 
together. The alcohol will absorb onl} a 
certain amount of the gum and it will not 
hurt if some remains in the bottom of the 
bottle. More alcohol may be added after a 
portion has been used. Do not allow the bot- 
tle to become empty, for camphor is a house- 
hold remedy, to be used in sickness, such as 
faintness, headache, sprains, etc. 

If your child is a very uneasy one — trou- 
bled with a sort of nervousness — more prop- 
erly speaking, a habit of unrest — try having 
him sit still (or the rest cure). Yes, actually 
sit still. I knew a boy of about seven years who 
seemed never to be still unless asleep. The 
mother had often wondered what she should 



OUR CHILDREN 21 5 

do. She finally tried the sitting-still remedy. 
One-half minute the first time. One minute 
the second time. Gradually increasing the 
time to five minutes. It seemed long at first, 
but it was a beneficial experiment. 

Accustom your children to sleeping in the 
dark. It is more healthful for everybody and 
more economical. A child should not be al- 
lowed to destroy books and papers. How 
often we see this done, in otherwise well- 
regulated households. 

In the case of excessive bleeding at the 
nose, grate dried beef (the drier the better) 
and stuff the nostrils full. This remedy can 
be vouched for by the writer as having been 
used in the case of her own two-year-old child. 
He had been out in the hot sun bareheaded. 
We tried many remedies several grown peo- 
ple had mentioned, and the child lay limp and 
exhausted on her lap. At last Dr. Gunn's book 
was consulted, and as soon as the dried beef 
was used the bleeding was stayed. We used the 
stump after the good beef had been cut off. 

There are two words, with their defini- 
tions, which ought to be hung in every home. 
Punctuality and Procrastination. The keep- 



2l6 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

ing of the first and the avoidance of the lat- 
ter would decrease the necessity for economy. 

Children should not only never be late to 
school, but they should never be late to 
church nor Sunday school, or to any appoint- 
ment. Parents ought to set the example, and 
unless something really unavoidable occurs 
they should be expected to keep promptly 
any engagement, no matter how trivial. Were 
I a minister or presiding at any meeting I 
should begin on time, if I had but one for an 
audience. If punctuality were enforced while 
rearing our children there would be but lit- 
tle trouble on that score when they are 
adults. 

Procrastination is another hindrance to the 
success of both men and women. If every 
girl and boy were taught to do everything 
when it should be done, there would be less 
worry and confusion in the home and in the 
ofHce. For the children's own good keep 
them with you as long as possible. It is safer 
for them and more economical in the end. If 
you do the very best you know while they are 
with you and they go wrong after leaving 
home you need not blame yourself. 



OUR CHILDREN 217 

If one parent undertakes to correct a child 
the other should not interfere. Mothers are 
very apt to do so (occasionally the father will 
do the same thing), thinking the other too 
severe. In rare cases that may be so. But 
unless she is sure the child is being injured 
she would better leave the room. If the father 
has any talent for disciplining, the object 
will soon be accomplished. I have known 
fathers who thought themselves too severe 
and consequently left the whole care of dis- 
ciplining to the mother. That is a little hard 
on the mother, but if she be a good discipli- 
narian it is better for the children than to 
have a scene every time the father tries to 
correct them. My observation has been that 
when the father uses his authority judiciously 
the children, as they grow to manhood and 
womanhood are the better for it. 

Then, again, when the children come from 
school with complaints, mothers should be 
very cautious how they take the part of the 
child indiscriminately. Unless the child has 
been really abused it were better to take as 
little notice of the afifair as possible. In rare 
cases the teacher is at fault. 



2l8 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

Let the boys as well as the girls learn mu- 
sic. Many boys love music, and, although 
it may be a Httle expensive at first, it is really 
economy to indulge them in this recreation 
and pastime. It fills the time usefully, and 
when there are young people it helps to pass 
the hours pleasantly. 

You will find it an excellent plan to en- 
courage the children by a ''well done" when 
they have tried to excel or improve them- 
selves in school or at home. And equally, 
with the smart girl or boy, give the dull one 
a lift by some word of approval and try, try 
again. We all feel life pleasanter, when some 
one, especially our own, signifies by words 
that they are pleased with our efforts. Forget 
not these little courtesies, though you may be 
burdened with care. They count! 

Every home ought to be supplied with a 
Dictionary and if possible a good Encyclo- 
pedia. They are wonderful incentives to 
every-day study. Every child has a right to 
a common school education. In a large num- 
ber of cases people of moderate means could 
give their children the advantage of a high- 
school course if strict economy were prac- 
ticed. 



OUR CHILDREN 2I9 

Impress upon their minds the need of sav- 
ing the dollars to further that end. They will 
some day thank you for the part you took in 
placing them in a position to compete with 
their equals, which otherwise would be an 
unequal match. 

We often hear the expression: ''Our high 
schools are free; there is no excuse for not 
having an education." We will admit that 
the high schools are free; but the extra books 
and the better clothes required for high 
school is a serious problem for the considera- 
tion of parents of small means. 

We hear it rumored that some of our edu- 
cators are considering the advisability of 
shortening the college course. A step in the 
right direction, we think. And while they are 
thus engaged would it not be a wise idea to 
move down the line and shorten the high 
school course one year, by adding that year 
to the grammar course? 

It would be of material advantage to thou- 
sands of boys and girls, whose parents are not 
able to send them further, after they are 
through with the grammar school. 

In the event of there being nine grades in 



220 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

the grammar school, the majority of parents 
would make an extra effort to keep their chil- 
dren in school that one more year. As it 
now is, a large number must go to work as 
soon as they are through with the eighth 
grade. Others go into the high school, get 
through with the ninth grade, perhaps the 
tenth. But the larger per cent never gradu- 
ate from the twelfth grade, and a very small 
per cent enter college. It is my opinion that 
if the ninth grade was added to the grammar 
school and a post-graduate course taken in 
spelling, reading, writing and the rudiments 
of arithmetic (addition, subtraction, multipli- 
cation and division), with the addition of any 
other studies the educators deemed best, a 
long stride will have been taken toward solv- 
ing the riddle: ''Why are so many of our 
high school and college students, even grad- 
uates, deficient in 'the three Rs' " ? 

I call to mind when free text books were 
introduced into the public schools at which 
my younger children attended. It was with 
a feeling akin to dread that I allowed them 
to be used, for the thought occurred to me 



OUR CHILDREN ^21 

how easily disease could be transferred from 
one child to another. 

Better by far that each child own his text 
books and that the stationery needed be sup- 
plied free. By making this change material 
help will be given to those not able to supply 
the whole outfit. 

Since the slate has been tabooed from the 
schools the item of stationery is very large, 
especially if there are several children to be 
provided for. Almost any parent into whose 
home this book may go, will bear me out in 
the assertion, that the call for money for the 
several kinds of ''tablets" and pencils for the 
different kinds of work required in our pub- 
lic schools, amounts to a larger sum at the 
close of the year than the text books. There- 
fore, be it resolved, that stationery, etc., be 
supplied free to the pupils of our public schools 
and that the parents be allowed or expected 
to furnish the text books. 

"Who Is the Greatest Woman? 

"In answer to the question, 'Who is the 
greatest woman in all history?' put to two 
hundred Macon County (Missouri) teachers, 



222 ETHICS OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 

Miss Nannie Vickroy of Macon, made a 
unique answer, which received the prize for 
originality. 

''She passed over Queen Victoria, Frances 
Willard, Helen Gould, and other women 
whose names were the most popular, and de- 
clared: The wife of the Missouri farmer, of 
moderate means, who does her own cooking, 
washing, and ironing, brings up a large fam- 
ily, and finds time for her own intellectual and 
moral improvement, is ''the greatest woman 
in all history." ' " — Extract from the Daily 
News of October, 1901, Chicago, 111. 



SEP 21 1903 



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